Govt Caps Private Medical College Fees at Rs 1.8m, Senate Told

News Desk 

Islamabad:  Minister for National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal informed the Senate on Friday that the Prime Minister’s high-level committee has capped the annual tuition fee for private medical colleges at Rs 1.8 million to curb excessive charges.

Responding to a question raised by Senator Abdul Shakoor Khan during the Question Hour in the Upper House, the minister said the committee—formed on the special directive of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar—included all relevant stakeholders and was tasked with regulating the tuition fee structure of private medical and dental institutions.

He noted that the decision was prompted by numerous complaints about certain institutions charging exorbitant fees, compelling the government to step in and enforce a standardized policy.

“As per the committee’s decision, no private medical college is allowed to charge more than Rs 1.8 million annually. Institutions that collected higher amounts prior to the notification issued in May 2025 are required to refund or adjust the excess,” he stated.

However, the minister added that colleges with demonstrably superior standards and facilities could apply for an exemption. “If a college can prove that it meets exceptional standards, the committee may allow it to charge up to Rs 2.5 million per year,” he said.

He further emphasized that the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC), empowered under Suo Moto Case No. 1/2010 and supported by the Law and Justice Division, is the sole regulatory body authorized to approve and monitor fee structures.

Kamal said robust oversight mechanisms have been put in place to ensure strict compliance, warning that violators will face legal consequences. He added that five complaints had already been addressed by the committee and urged senators and citizens to report any violations directly to the Ministry or the PM&DC.