Executive Members of Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC) called on a Press Briefing to respond allegations concerning Illegal election and appointments and FIR against them for allegedly preparing a fake gazette notification about their election and presenting it before a parliamentary committee.
Briefing the Press, Prof. Masood Hameed Khan, President, Dr. Raja Amjad Mahmood, Registrar, Prof. Ghulam Qadir Kazi, Dr. Khurshid Ahmad Nasim, Prof. Syed Muhammad Awais, Prof. Azam Yousifani and senior members of PMDC requested Government of Pakistan, High Court of Pakistan to formulate a commission of senior judges to ascertain facts behind the FIR regi-stration. They said that an FIR has been lodged against PMDC executive committee members by two Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MNAs, Nasir Khan Khattak and Dr M. Azhar Khan Jadoon, who are members of the National Assembly Committee for Health Services, alleging that executive committee members had been elected unfairly through a forged noti-fication.
They said that that the PMDC had approved a notification regarding the members elected in its executive committee, which was then sent on a CD to the Printing Corporation of Pakistan (PCP). They then presented this CD to the senate under part six of the Constitution of Pakistan, which covers autonomous body notifications. It was told by the senate chairman that, while the issue does come under the section, they wanted the health ministry to notify them as well. They claimed that the PMDC had received an altered CD from the PCP and it was on the basis of the alterations that an FIR was lodged against the organisation. The PMDC then filed a case with the Islamabad High Court, stating that the allegations made against them are false and are being made to smear the PMDC. However, the case is still pending at the high court. If there is an issue between the PCP and the authorities, then a committee should be made to solve this issue.
They said that Al Razi Medical College which is owned by MNA Nisar Khattak is restricted by High Court because this medical college is not affiliated by any hospital and it also lack faculties. They said that this issue is demoralizing the image of PMDC image. PMDC has also contacted PTI Chairman Mr. Imran Khan but got no response. They also informed that the senior executive members of PMDC are receiving life-threating call and messages.
Referring to a news item published in various newspapers they said that when the new executive council took the charge the PMDC was not in good condition. PMDC has cancelled the registration of 19 sub-standard medical colleges in the country in the month of December 2012. These medical colleges are not fulfilling the mandatory requirements and rules and regulation as enshrined in guidelines issue by PMDC.
They highlighted the role of PMDC is to ensure high standards medical and dental education throughout Pakistan. It is very important that PMDC should play its role as an autonomous independent and powerful body to regulate medical education and training in Pakistan.