PMDC investigation: 40 doctors, 19 medical colleges have fake registrations

Council’s ex-officials attempting to halt process by concealing majority of fake records’ files.

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in its ongoing investigation has recently acquired documents from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) pertaining to fake registration of doctors and fake medical colleges, it has been learnt. The agency was successful despite persistent efforts by some former council officials to disturb the process.

The ex-officials have made attempts to conceal most of the fake records’ files and have lodged First Information Reports against the council’s current deputy registrars, namely Shaista Faisal, Iqbal Khattak and Ahmed Hasan Hashmi in a bid to halt the process, according to a PMDC official requesting anonymity.



While speaking to The Express Tribune, the official confirmed that FIA and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) officials had paid multiple visits to the PMDC over the past week to investigate the council’s fake registration of doctors and medical colleges through available documents.

NAB officials have also conducted surprise visits to the medical colleges across the country with the PMDC’s help, he added.

The investigation centres around 19 medical colleges which were all registered over the course of a day, soon after the Health Ministry’s devolution under the 18th Amendment, said the official.

The registration process of these colleges was initiated with the approval of PMDC, whose registrar was Dr Ahmad Nadeem Akbar at the time, he said.



Two committees have also been constituted, by PMDC Administrator Dr Raja Amjad Mahmood and the National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Ministry respectively to facilitate the investigation.

The official added that the police have registered cases against 40 fake doctors, three of whom are under FIA custody in Peshawar.

In the past month, the number of fake doctors is believed to have increased to 150, but as this hasn’t been confirmed, legal action cannot be taken against them.

When contacted, PMDC Spokesperson Jumma Mandokhel said that the council had already launched an investigation against the fake doctors and medical colleges and had invited NAB and FIA to assist with proceedings.

He said that Mahmood has directed all PMDC staffers to cooperate with NAB and FIA and provide them with any requested documents.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 11^th, 2013.