Islamabad 28th February 2026: The Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PM&DC) has issued a comprehensive clarification regarding the registration of postgraduate medical and dental qualifications, including MS, MD, MDS, M.Phil, Ph.D, FCPS, MCPS, and diploma programs awarded by Pakistani universities, institutions, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP).
The Council deliberated extensively on cases involving qualifications obtained from training institutions not recognized under Section 25 of the PM&DC Act, 2022, as well as matters relating to limited, time-bound amnesty provisions previously granted to facilitate registration.
PM&DC’s Postgraduate Medical Education Committee, in its meeting held on 7th January 2026, resolved that postgraduate qualifications obtained from unrecognized training sites and not falling within the amnesty deadline of 31 December 2023 cannot be registered by PM&DC. The Secretariat was directed to process pending applications accordingly and strictly in accordance with the law and Council decisions.
After detailed deliberation, the Council decided to harmonize the registration process for all postgraduate qualifications awarded by universities and CPSP. It was resolved that the determining factor for registration shall be the date of induction or enrolment in the training program in relation to the promulgation of the PM&DC Act, 2022. Accordingly, candidates enrolled before the Act may be considered for registration under the amnesty provisions, subject to fulfillment of all prescribed conditions.
PM&DC considered various decisions regarding registration of postgraduate qualifications, including MS, MD, MDS, M.Phil, Ph.D, FCPS, MCPS, and diploma programs awarded by Pakistani universities, institutions, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP). These decisions particularly addressed cases where training institutions were not recognized under Section 25 of the PM&DC Act, 2022, and where, limited, time-bound amnesties had been granted to facilitate registration.
After receiving complaints of doctors who has confusions in understanding the regulatory time frame and decisions of PM&DC, to further clarify the matter of postgraduate degree recognition for the doctors to understand. The Council reiterated its decision dated 4 June 2023, which clearly distinguished between candidates enrolled or qualified before the promulgation of the PM&DC Act, 2022, and those enrolled afterward. Wherein, it was resolved that the PM&DC Act, 2022, does not have a retrospective effect; therefore, candidates enrolled or qualified before 16 January 2023 would be considered under the previously applicable legal framework. However, candidates enrolled after this date must meet the requirements of recognition of their qualification, degree-awarding institution, and training site by PM&DC in accordance with Section 25 of the Act.
The Council further emphasized its decision dated 19 September 2023, stating that recognition of both the postgraduate qualification and the training institute is mandatory under the PM&DC Act, 2022. It was also clarified that inspection and formal recognition of training institutes are statutory prerequisites. Applications submitted under the repealed PMC Act, 2020, cannot be processed under the current legal framework, and fresh applications must be submitted in compliance with the PM&DC Act, 2022. A limited one-time amnesty was granted for qualifications obtained from previously recognized institutes, subject to specified deadlines.
According to subsequent decisions dated 13 June 2024 and 6 August 2024 stipulated that the one-time amnesty for MD, MS, MDS, M.Phil, Ph.D, and diploma qualifications applies only to candidates whose final examination was held on or before 31 December 2023. The examination date stated on the degree shall serve as the determining criterion for eligibility.
Additionally, the Council approved the registration of basic sciences postgraduate qualifications obtained from HEC-recognized universities, provided admission occurred on or before 27 September 2022.
According to Prof.Dr. Rizwan Taj, President of PM&DC, affirmed that equal treatment will be ensured for every specialist in accordance with the law. He reiterated that these measures are made to safeguard merit, maintain uniform standards, and uphold the quality and integrity of medical education and specialist training across Pakistan.
The Council remains committed to transparent governance, regulatory compliance, and the continuous strengthening of postgraduate medical education in the country.