PMDC has raised a new issue in that it is not recognizing M.Phil and post-doctoral degrees from general universities of Pakistan.
This decision of PMDC is against the code of conduct of the Pakistan medical commission due to which the future of many young doctors is at risk. There is a dearth of Ph.D. teachers in medical universities of Pakistan, due to which the new medical students have to get their degrees from general universities.
Before the formation of PMDC, the PMC had clarified that M.Phil and Ph.D. degrees are research-based and non-clinical, so they do not require any specialized training. For this reason, the authority to decide was with HEC and other universities, that authority was not with PMC, therefore many students are doing M.phil and Ph.D. from general universities and have completed their degree. This decision of PMDC can ruin their future.
Surprisingly, PMDC has taken this decision without the consent of its academic board, which has the chairman of HEC and the president of the College of physicians and Surgeons as its members.
According to Hina Shaukat, spokesperson of PMDC, some universities closed the M.phil and doctoral programs after this decision. Universities that want to start M.phil and PhD programs must have three PhD teachers and then they can apply to PMDC for registration.
HEC Chairman Dr. Mukhtar has said that the matter of M.phil and Ph.D. qualification does not come under the jurisdiction of PMDC, if PMDC does not recognizes the credentials of other universities, then HEC will not recognize the credentials of PMDC and Dr. Mukhtar has said that he will discuss this issue with the president of PMDC
