{
  "id": 3666752,
  "title": "35 private medical colleges allowed to charge maximum Rs2.1 million as annual fee",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/35-private-medical-colleges-allowed-to-charge-maximum-rs2-1-million",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-27T04:15:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2025261/35-private-medical-colleges-allowed-to-charge-maximum-rs21-million-as-annual-fee"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Tuesday, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal informed the National Assembly about a cap on annual fees for medical and dental colleges in Pakistan. While the nationwide limit stands at Rs1.8 million, around 35 private colleges have been granted permission to charge up to Rs2.1 million annually. These figures, shared in response to a calling attention notice moved by MNAs Asia Naz Tanoli, Zahra Wadood Fatemi and Huma Akhtar Chughtai, aim to address concerns over rapidly increasing tuition costs.\n\nThe minister highlighted that there are 22,000 seats available in medical colleges across the country, with 65% in the private sector and 35% in public institutions. All complaints regarding private colleges were promptly addressed and resolved. A committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar was formed to investigate the fee issue, leading to the current cap.\n\nAfter reviewing 61 appeals from medical colleges, the committee found that 35 cases were justified and approved the higher fees. MNA Asia Naz Tanoli expressed disappointment at private colleges' practice of charging hundreds of thousands of rupees upfront, suggesting that the fee be charged in installments instead. She also pointed out the high number of students opting to study abroad due to the exorbitant costs.\n\nNelson Azeem, Parliamentary Secretary for Health, explained that private colleges were permitted to cross the Rs1.8 million threshold based on their individual expenses and the quality of education they provide. He mentioned that over 150,000 candidates applied for medical and dental college admissions, with only 20,000 seats available. Despite the cap, private colleges have reportedly been receiving payments under the table, sometimes exceeding Rs4 million.",
  "summary": "ISLAMABAD: Health Minister Mustafa Kamal on Tuesday informed the National Assembly that while there was a cap of Rs1.8 million on the annual fee for medical and dental colleges across Pakistan, taking into account expenses, quality of education and other factors, around 35 colleges have been allowed to charge a maximum of Rs2.1 million as an annual fee. While responding to a calling attention…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}