The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has issued a formal warning that Afghan medical graduates are barred from practicing medicine in Pakistan. The ruling follows a comprehensive review of licensing requirements and a reassessment of compliance with the country’s national standards for medical education and practice.
The decision comes after the PMDC identified gaps in the curricula and clinical training of several Afghan institutions that have historically sent graduates to work in Pakistani hospitals. While many Afghan doctors have been employed in public and private facilities across the country, the council’s latest assessment concluded that their qualifications do not meet the rigorous benchmarks set for Pakistani practitioners.
Under the new directive, Afghan graduates who earned their degrees abroad will be required to undergo additional examinations and accreditation processes before they can obtain a license to practice. The council has urged the Ministry of Health to coordinate with Afghan authorities to streamline the verification of academic credentials and to ensure that any future cross‑border collaborations meet the required standards.
The ruling is expected to have a ripple effect on the already strained healthcare workforce in Pakistan, where shortages of qualified doctors are a persistent challenge. Health professionals and policymakers are closely monitoring the move, as it could influence future agreements on medical training and employment between the two neighboring countries.
The PMDC has stated that its primary goal is to safeguard patient safety and uphold the integrity of the medical profession in Pakistan. It has also called for a transparent dialogue with Afghan medical institutions to address the identified deficiencies and to explore pathways for mutual recognition of qualifications in the future.