Maximum Fee for Private Medical Colleges Revealed

The National Assembly received information about Pakistan's medical college landscape, with approximately 22,000 seats spread across 65% private and 35% government institutions. Federal Minister for National Health Services, Syed Mustafa Kamal, announced that private medical colleges are capped at an annual fee of Rs. 2.1 million, with no room for independent fee hikes.

Parliamentary Secretary Nelson Azeem revealed the initial Rs. 1.8 million fee, which was challenged by 61 colleges. Following a committee review, 35 institutions were granted permission to charge up to Rs. 2.1 million, contingent on their available resources and expenditures. The government has also set up an online complaint portal for students and parents.

Notices have been issued to 45 institutions, with further action planned for those who cannot justify their fees or fulfill tax obligations. Kamal highlighted the country's reliance on foreign medical education, spending around $800 million annually, due to limited seats creating a trend of Pakistani students seeking education abroad.

The federal government has placed a three-year moratorium on new private medical colleges, while government institutions continue to augment their capacities by expanding infrastructure.