PMDC Bars Afghan Medical Graduates From Pakistan Registration

ISLAMABAD: (News Desk) -The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has announced that Pakistani citizens who earn medical or dental degrees from institutions in Afghanistan will not be permitted to appear in the National Registration Examination (NRE) or receive registration to practise in Pakistan.

In a notification issued for students and graduates pursuing medical and dental education overseas, the council stated that foreign-qualified doctors and dentists must successfully clear the NRE before obtaining professional registration in Pakistan.

The PMDC explained that graduates of Afghan medical and dental institutions are currently not eligible for the examination because these institutions are not included in the list recognised by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).

Under the existing regulations, only Pakistani nationals who complete their primary medical or dental qualifications from foreign institutions recognised by the ECFMG and fulfil all required conditions can apply for the NRE.

The council said it had received information that a number of Pakistani students were enrolled in medical and dental programmes in Afghanistan. It advised current students and prospective applicants to carefully consider the professional implications before choosing such institutions.

The PMDC clarified that no exemptions, special approvals or relaxation in eligibility requirements would be provided. The advisory was issued to prevent students from facing difficulties in the future and to create awareness about foreign degree recognition policies.