Key PMDC scam suspect held

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)'s Anti-Corruption Circle Islamabad claimed on Tuesday to have arrested the prime suspect, in a major scandal involving the alleged collection of substantial sums of money under the guise of securing medical college admissions for students on the foreign quota at the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC). Raids are continuing to apprehend the remaining suspects.

According to investigators, PMDC employee Saddam Hussain, together with Pir Zulfiqar, Abid Khan, and Hussain's brother Khair Muhammad, is accused of abusing official authority and, through collusion and deception, falsely promising students admissions under the foreign quota in exchange for payment.

The group is alleged to have collected more than Rs40 million in cash and via bank transfers, purportedly using the names of senior PMDC officials to lend legitimacy to their scheme.

Following a comprehensive inquiry, a case has been registered against all four under charges of misuse of authority, fraud, cheating, corruption and abetment, under Sections 109, 409, 420, 161 of the Pakistan Penal Code, as well as relevant provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act.