The new warning has come at the worst possible time for thousands of Pakistani families who want to send a child abroad for an MBBS or BDS degree. The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has asked students to avoid enrolling in medical colleges in Afghanistan, stating that degrees from there would not help them pursue a medical career in Pakistan.
What the Advisory Really Says
PMDC said that medical and dental institutions in Afghanistan do not appear in the recognised list maintained by the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), an international body that PMDC uses to judge foreign qualifications. Therefore, graduates of Afghan medical colleges will not be registered with the PMDC and will not be allowed to take the National Registration Examination (NRE), which is the mandatory test for any foreign medical graduate wishing to practise in Pakistan. The council has also made it clear that there will be no exceptions or special relaxations in this rule irrespective of the circumstances of the student.
Why it is important to Pakistani families
Local seats are limited and admission is tough, so students from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and other border areas prefer Afghan medical colleges every year because of their cheaper fee, proximity and easy admission. For many families, attending an Afghan medical college was a cheap shortcut to a medical career. The advisory means that route no longer goes to any official place and any degree earned there risks becoming a costly dead end.
Checklist Before Opting for a Foreign Medical College
•Before applying, check that the institution is on the official list of ECFMG-recognized schools.
•Don’t trust claims on social media or agents; check on PMDC’s website.
•Now required for foreign study, complete online registration with PMDC before leaving Pakistan.
•Check your FSc minimum marks to be eligible for MDCAT and foreign admission.
•Only work with colleges or consultants that advise you to check credentials yourself.
What Students Already in Afghanistan Should Do
Students already enrolled in Afghan medical colleges should directly approach PMDC to learn their options instead of waiting for the situation to change. If you discover after graduation that your degree is not recognized, you could waste years and a family’s savings.
A Practical Way Forward
Choosing a destination for studying medicine is among the biggest financial and career decisions a Pakistani family makes. This advice is a reminder that if you can’t use the degree at home, then a cheaper or easier admission abroad is not worth it. Families should not consider PMDC verification as optional but compulsory before signing any admission form. A medical degree is worth only if you can practise in reality.
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