PM&DC president registers his own honorary degree in apparent misuse of authority

The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC), the country’s top regulatory body for medical education, is facing severe backlash after its president, Dr. Rizwan Taj, allegedly registered his own honorary degree in violation of the council’s policies.

The incident has sparked outrage within the medical community, with experts calling it a blatant misuse of authority and a direct attack on the credibility of the regulatory body.

PM&DC has long maintained a strict policy against recognizing honorary degrees, as well as qualifications obtained through online or distant learning, both from local and international institutions. In 2020, the council rejected a similar request to register an honorary degree for a special advisor to the Prime Minister, reinforcing its commitment to maintaining academic standards.

However, in an unprecedented move, Dr. Rizwan Taj allegedly registered his own honorary degree, reportedly awarded by PM&DC itself. This act has raised serious concerns about transparency and governance within the institution.

Sources reveal that Dr. Rizwan Taj’s actions are part of a larger plan to secure the position of Vice Chancellor at Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU), for which he has already been shortlisted.

Currently serving as Dean on an extension at SZABMU while also holding the position of PM&DC President, his dual roles have raised ethical concerns and highlighted a clear conflict of interest.
It is further reported that Dr. Taj also secured his Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the same university where he holds a key administrative position, further strengthening accusations of abuse of power.

Medical experts and critics have termed this act a “colorable exercise of power,” which not only undermines the credibility of PM&DC but also questions the fairness of the selection process for the SZABMU Vice Chancellor position.

Furthermore, Dr. Taj’s alleged reluctance to address the rising fees imposed by private medical colleges is being viewed as a strategic move to avoid conflict with influential stakeholders in the medical education sector, which could jeopardize his ambitions for the VC position.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP), a key institution for specialist training, also awards honorary fellowships. However, PM&DC has never registered such degrees in the past. By registering his own honorary degree, Dr. Taj has set a dangerous precedent that threatens the transparency and credibility of the regulatory body.

The incident has triggered widespread anger within the medical fraternity, with demands for an independent investigation to hold Dr. Taj accountable. Many believe that such actions will have long-term consequences on the quality of medical education and the credibility of Pakistani medical degrees both locally and internationally.

Medical professionals and stakeholders are now urging the government to take immediate action to prevent further misuse of authority within PM&DC and restore the integrity of the institution.
As the controversy continues to unfold, the future of Pakistan’s top medical regulatory body hangs in the balance.

Contacted Dr Rizwan Taj to take his verdict regarding said issue but yet not get any response from his side.