LAHORE (September 3, 2025): The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) is embroiled in a significant controversy over the alleged tailoring of appointment rules to favor a specific candidate for the powerful post of Registrar. The council’s administration stands accused of amending key regulations, including age and experience criteria, in a move that critics claim is designed to handpick a preferred individual for the role.
According to official documents and sources, the amendments appear suspiciously convenient for a particular candidate. The maximum age limit for the position of Registrar has been significantly increased from 50 years to 57 years. Concurrently, the mandatory required experience for the post has been reduced from 15 years to just 10 years. These dual changes—raising the age ceiling while lowering the experience floor—have raised eyebrows within the medical community, suggesting a deliberate effort to accommodate a specific individual who might not have met the previous, more stringent criteria.
The controversy is set against a backdrop of recent turmoil within the PMDC. Earlier this year, the former acting Registrar, Dr. Shista, was removed from her post. Official records indicate that she faced severe administrative actions, including the issuance of show-cause notices and even an arrest warrant. Dr. Shista has presented her side of the story, stating that she was subjected to show-cause notices and unjustly removed from her position. She has clarified that she is not a candidate for the Registrar post this time.
The President of PMDC, Dr. Rizwan, has defended the council’s decision to amend the law. He presented an official stance, claiming that the changes were made due to a “lack of interest from doctors” in applying for the Registrar position. However, this justification appears to be directly contradicted by reports from other medical bodies. A large number of doctors have reportedly come forward expressing their interest and intention to apply for the post, undermining the official reasoning for the rule changes.
The situation has drawn criticism from prominent figures in the medical community. Dr. Shahid Malik, the President of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), has weighed in on the matter, emphasizing the critical importance of meritocracy. He stated unequivocally that all appointments within the PMDC must be made strictly on merit, implying that the recent amendments threaten this fundamental principle.
The allegations have sparked a debate about transparency and governance within the premier regulatory body for medical professionals in Pakistan. If proven true, the claims of rule manipulation would represent a serious breach of trust and a move away from merit-based appointments, potentially undermining the integrity of the institution tasked with maintaining the standards of the country’s medical and dental professions. The medical community is now watching closely to see who is ultimately appointed to the post and whether the process will be conducted in a fair and transparent manner.
