Senate Blocks Politicians’ Entry into PMDC Over Independence Fears

Nadeem Tanoli

Islamabad: In a contentious session that highlighted deep concerns over political interference in professional bodies, the Senate Standing Committee on Health has deferred a proposed amendment to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) Act that would have granted parliamentarians seats on the council. Meanwhile, a separate bill aimed at recognizing psychologists in the legal framework of mental health received cautious support.

The proposed PMDC amendment, introduced by Senator Mohammad Humayun Mohmand, called for the inclusion of one Senator and one MNA in the council, a move he claimed would enhance democratic oversight.

However, the suggestion was sharply criticized by the Federal Health Minister and PMDC leadership, who warned it could jeopardize the council’s credibility and violate international standards—particularly those set by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME), which prohibits political representation in regulatory medical bodies.

“This could open a new Pandora’s box,” cautioned the Health Minister, stressing that Pakistan’s current political landscape lacks the maturity to prevent undue influence in professional institutions. The PMDC President echoed these concerns, warning that any political appointments could damage Pakistan’s standing with global accreditation authorities.

Despite backing from some lawmakers—including Senators Irfan Siddiqui and Talal Chaudhry, who pointed to similar arrangements in other regulatory bodies—the committee’s chair, Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, opted to defer the bill. He called for further consultation between Senator Mohmand, the Ministry of Law, and PMDC officials before any decision is made.

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In contrast, Senator Mohmand’s second legislative effort—The Mental Health (Amendment) Bill, 2025—was met with a more positive response. The bill proposes formally including psychologists as recognized mental health practitioners, correcting a long-standing legal oversight that limits the current definition to psychiatrists only.

“Mental health is incomplete without both a psychiatrist and a psychologist,” Senator Mohmand argued, emphasizing the critical role of non-medical professionals in Pakistan’s overwhelmed mental health system.

The amendment seeks to reclassify psychologists as “Healthcare Practitioners” under the Allied Health Council, ensuring they are recognized without infringing on PMDC jurisdiction. While both the Health Ministry and PMDC officials supported the bill’s intent, they urged refinements in language to prevent legal ambiguity.

Final approval was postponed pending these revisions, but the bill marks a significant step toward legitimizing and regulating thousands of practicing psychologists across the country—a move long demanded by mental health advocates.

The committee’s decisions underscore a stark contrast: resistance to politicization of professional medical regulation, and a progressive shift toward broader inclusion in mental healthcare law.