In a landmark decision set to impact thousands of medical students across the country, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ruled that private medical colleges cannot charge fees beyond the cap established by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), offering significant relief to students burdened by escalating education costs.
The ruling was delivered by Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir during proceedings on a petition filed by Yamna Yasir, a second-year MBBS student who challenged an allegedly inflated fee demand by her college administration.
Representing the petitioner, lawyer Shafqat Abbas Tarar argued that under the PMDC Act 2022, private medical colleges are legally bound to adhere to an annual fee cap of Rs. 1.8 million. However, the institution in question issued a challan demanding Rs. 2.45 million, exceeding the permissible limit by Rs. 650,000.
The court was further informed that the student faced threats of being barred from examinations and denied her admit card if the additional amount was not paid. Despite submitting a formal complaint, the college administration reportedly failed to address the issue, compelling the student to seek legal recourse.
In its order, the court categorically prohibited private medical colleges from collecting any fees above the PMDC-approved threshold. Notices have been issued to the federal government, the PMDC, and the concerned college administration, directing them to submit written responses.
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The court also instructed the college to ensure that the student’s academic progress remains uninterrupted, including her participation in examinations, and emphasized that all future fee collection must strictly comply with the law. The case has been adjourned until responses from the relevant parties are received.
