Pakistan Medical and Dental Council Act, 2022

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 THE PAKISTAN MEDICAL AND DENTAL COUNCIL ACT, 2022 
 
   
  
 
 
    
    CONTENTS      
1. Short title, extent and commencement 
2.  Definitions 
3.  Constitution and composition of the Council 
4.  Mode of election 
5 Restrictions on nominations and election 
6.  Incorporation of the Council 
7.  Terms of office 
8.  Meetings of the Council 
9.  Powers and functions of the Council 
10.  Composition of national medical and dental academic board 
11.  Term of office of board members 
12.  Meetings of the board 
13.  Powers and functions of the board 
14. Registrar of the Council 
15.  Committee of the Council 
16. Executive committee 
17. Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Tests (MDCAT) 
18.  National Registration Examination (NRE) 
 

 
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19.  National Equivalence Board Examination (NEB) 
20.  Standards of medical and dental education 
21.  Recognition of medical institutions and qualifications 
22. Recognition of hospitals or institutions for house job or internship or foundation year training 
23.  Arrangements for schemes with foreign countries 
24.  Power of the Council to certify certain persons to be possessed of s ufficient medical 
qualification 
25.  Additional medical or dental qualifications 
26.  Recognition of foreign additional medical or dental qualification 
27. Recognition of continuous professional development opportunity providers 
28.  Role of specialists boards 
29. Recognition of medical and dental institutions and qualifications 
30.  Power of the Council to certify certain persons to be possessed of sufficient dental 
qualifications 
31.  Power to acquire information as to courses of study and examination 
32. Inspection 
33.  Withdrawal of recognition 
34. Establishment and running of medical and dental institutions without recognition 
35. Penalty 
36.  Maintenance of register of medical practitioners 
37.  Maintenance of register of dental practitioners 
38.  Registers to be public documents 
39.  Penalty for fraudulent representation or registration 
40.  Penalty of practicing without registration 
41.  Cognizance of offences 
42.  Privileges of registered medical or dental practitioners 
43. Responsibilities of registered medical or dental practitioner 
44.  Removal of names from the register 
 
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45.  Officers etc. deemed to be public servants 
46. Indemnity 
47.  Power to make rules and regulations 
48. Information to be furnished by the Council and publication thereof 
49.  Commission of inquiry 
50.  Over-ridding provision 
51.  Repeals and Savings 
52.  Transitory provision 
  
 
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THE PAKISTAN MEDICAL AND DENTAL COUNCIL ACT, 2022  
ACT NO. IV OF 2023 
[12th January, 2023] 
AN 
ACT 
 
to reconstitute the Medical and Dental Council in Pakistan  
WHEREAS it is expedient to consolidate the law relating to the registration of medical 
practitioners and dentists and reconstitute the Medical and Dental Council in Pakistan in order to 
establish a uniform minimum standard of basic and higher qualifications in medicine and dentistry; 
  It is hereby enacted as follows:— 
  1. Short title, extent and commencement.—(1) This Act shall be called the Pakistan Medical 
and Dental Council Act, 2022.  
  (2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan. 
  (3) It shall come into force at once. 
  2. Definitions.—In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,— 
(a) “approved hospital or institution” means a hospital or an institution included 
in the Fourth Schedule; 
(b)  “council” means the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council constituted under 
this Act; 
(c)  “continuous professional development ” means skill enhancement and 
improvement in personal and professional competence which may— 
(i)  comprise lectures, seminars, courses, individual study or other activities 
undertaken by a registered medical or dental practitioner; 
(ii)  reasonably be expected to advance a registered medical or  dental 
practitioner’s development in his related profession; and 
(iii)  be relevant to the practice of registered medical or dental practitioner. 
(d)  “committee” means any committee constituted under this Act and includes 
executive committee; 
(e)  “continuous professional development opportunity provider ” means an 
organization providing continuous professional development opportunities and 
included in the Fifth Schedule; 
(f)  “dental institution” means and institution, recognized under this Act, within 
or outside Pakistan, which trains for, or grants, or b oth trains for and grants, 
degrees or diplomas in dentistry; 
 
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(g)  “division concerned” means the division to which business of this  Act stands 
allocated; 
(h)  “full registration” means a permanent registration to practice granted under 
this Act, subject to  continuing validity of the registration under this Act and 
applicable rules and regulations; 
(i) “house job or foundation year or internship ” means hands on training in 
clinical subjects on a rotational basis in an approved hospital or institution after 
provisional registration as a prerequisite for full registration under this Act; 
(j)  “medical institution” means any institution recognized under this Act, within 
or outside Pakistan, which trains for or grants, or both trains for and grants, 
degrees or diplomas in medicine; 
(k)  “medicine” means modern scientific medicine and includes surgery and other 
disciplines, but does not include veterinary medicine and its surgery; 
(1)  “medical and dental colleges admissions tests ” or “MDCAT” means the 
medical and dental college admission tests, as defined in section 17; 
(m)  “national equivalence board examination ” or “NEB” means the  national 
equivalent board examination, as defined in section 19; 
(n)  “national registration examination” or “NRE” means national registration re-
examination, as defined in section 18; 
(o)  “Pakistan university” means any university established under a Pakistan law 
and having a constituent medical or dental college or both; 
(p)  “President” means President of the Council; 
(q)  “provisional registration” means a registration granted to enable training and 
education prior to grant a full registration and subsequent to having qualified 
the national registration examination under this Act; 
(r)  “prescribed” means prescribed by rules and regulations; 
(s) “recognized medical qualification ” means any basic medical qualif ication 
included in the First Schedule; 
(t)  “recognized dental qualification ” means any basic dental qualification 
included in the Third Schedule; 
(u)  “recognized additional medical or dental qualification ” means any 
additional medical or dental qualification included in the Second Schedule; 
(v)  “register” means the register of medical practitioners maintained under section 
36 or the register of dental practitioners maintained under section 37; 
(w)  “registered medical practitioner” means a medical practitioner whose name 
is included in the register maintained under section 36; 
 
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(x)  “registered dental practitioner ” means a dental practitioner whose name is 
included in the register maintained under section 37; 
(y)  “regulations and rules” mean regulations and rules made under this Act; 
(z)  “registerable qualifications ” mean medical or dental qualifications 
recognized under this Act; and 
(za)  “specialists boards” mean recognized specialist boards included in the Sixth 
Schedule. 
  3. Constitution and composition of the Council. —(1) The Prime Minister shall, by 
notification in the official Gazette, constitute the Council consisting of  the following members, 
namely:— 
(a)  three members of civil society nominated by the Prime Minister on 
recommendations of the Minister-in-charge of the division concerned, that is to 
say— 
(i)  one member shall be a philanthropist who is a professional of known 
integrity and eminence with a minimum of fifteen years of relat ed 
experience in the field of philanthropist; 
(ii)  one member from legal profession of known integrity and eminence 
with a minimum of fifteen years of experience in the field of law as a 
practicing lawyer or a retired High Court Judge; and 
(iii)  one member who shall be a chartered accountant of known integrity and 
eminence with a minimum of fifteen years of related experience in the 
field of accountancy; 
(b) five members being licensed medical practitioners one of whom shall be a 
dentist, all of them havi ng fifteen years of teaching experience which may 
include the vice -chancellor or dean or principal of any medical university or 
medical and dental institute or teaching hospital or post graduatc medical 
institution but shall not be the owner or shareholder  or administrator of any 
private medical and dental university or private medical and dental college  or 
private institute to be nominated by the Prime Minister on recommendations of 
the Ministerin-charge; 
(c)  one member being the surgeon general of the armed forces medical services; 
(d)  the secretary of the division concerned; 
(e)  secretaries, health departments of all four Provinces; and 
(f)  one member to be elected by the Council of the College of  Physicians and 
Surgeons of Pakistan. 
(2) The division concerned shall call first meeting of the Council within fifteen days after its 
constitution under sub-section (1). 
 
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  (3) Subject to sub-section (4) of section 5, the President of the Council shall be appointed by 
the Prime Minister on the recommendations of the Minister -in-charge from amongst the members 
under clause (b) of sub-section (1). 
  (4) No member shall enter upon office until he signs and submits a declaration of no conflict 
of interest. 
  (5) The President shall be the head of the secretariat of the Council. 
  (6) No Act of the Council shall be invalid on the ground merely of existence of any vacancy, 
in or any defect in the constitution, of the Council. 
  (7) In absence of the President, the meeting of the Council shall be chaire d from any of the 
members of clause (b) of sub-section (1) as the members present may elect. 
  (8) The Registrar of the Council shall Act as secretary of the Council. 
  4. Mode of election.—(l) An election under this Act shall be conducted by the Council on such 
terms and conditions as may be prescribed. 
  (2) Where any dispute arises regarding election for the presidency of the Council it shall be 
referred to the Federal Government through Minister-in-charge whose decision thereon shall be final. 
  5. Restrictions on nominations and election.—(l) No person shall be eligible for nomination 
under clauses (a), (b ), (c) and (f) of sub -section (1) of section 3, unless he is a registered medical 
practitioner or a registered dentist, as the case may be. 
  (2) No person shall be eligible for nomination under clause (b), of sub-section (1) of section 3, 
unless he resides in the Province or area concerned. 
  (3) No person shall at one and the same time serve as a member under more th an one clauses 
of sub-section (1) of section 3. 
  (4) No member shall be eligible for the election of presidency of the  Council unless he is a 
registered medical practitioner. 
  6. Incorporation of the Council.—The Council constituted under section 3 shall be a body 
corporate by the name of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, having perpetual succession and 
a common seal, with power to acquire and hold property both movable and immovable, and to contract, 
and shall by the said name sue and be sued. The Council shall be a regulat ory body for regulating 
medical and dental profession, medical and dental education and institutions. 
  7. Terms of office.—(1) The term of a member nominated or elected to the Council shall be 
four years unless earlier withdrawn by the nominating. No member of the Council shall serve for more 
than two terms. 
  (2) The President of the Council shall hold office either for a term not exceeding three years 
or till completion of their term as member of the Council whichever is earlier. 
  (3) If a member fails to attend three consecutive meetings of the Council without any valid 
reason or remains out of Pakistan for a continuous period exceeding one year, he shall cease to be the 
member of the Council. 
 
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  (4) Where the said term of f our years is about to expire i n respect of any member, their 
successor may be nominated or elected at any time within three months before the expiry of said term, 
but the successor shall not assume office until the expiry of the said term. 
  (5) An office-bearer or nominated member may, at any time, resign from his membership by 
writing under his hand addressed to the President and the seat of such member shall be deemed to have 
fallen vacant from the date of acceptance of his resignation by the President. 
  (6) A vacancy in the Council shall be filled by the respective nominating authority. Any 
nomination required to fill a vacancy shall be submitted within fifteen days of such vacancy having 
occurred. The nomination shall be for the remaining period of the member. 
  8. Meetings of the Council.—(1) The Council shall meet as often as required but at least once 
in every three months at such time and place as may be decided by the President. A notice of the 
meeting shall be issued fourteen days prior to the meeting with the exception of emergency meeting 
which may be called with requisition of minimum of seven members of the Council for which reasons 
shall be recorded in writing and conveyed to the division concerned. 
  (2) Decision of majority members of  the Council present and voting shall be construed a 
decision of the Council. 
  (3) Seven members of the Council shall constitute a quorum for meetings of the Council. 
  9. Powers and functions of the Council. —(1) The Council shall have the functions and 
powers of general supervision over the working of the Council and shall hold the President of the 
Council, national medical and dental academic board, committees and other authorities accountable 
for all its functions. The Council shall have all powers not expressly vested in any other authority or 
officer by any other law where such powers not expressly mentioned in this Act are necessary for the 
performance of its functions. 
  (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing powers and notwithstanding anything 
contained in any other law for time being in force, the Council shall have the following functions and 
powers, namely:— 
(a) to appoint the members, officers and employees of the Council on such terms 
and conditions as the Council deems necessary to carry out the purpose of this 
Act and to provide for all matters relating to  welfare, terms and conditions of 
service of the members, officers and employees of the Council in accordance 
with regulations made by the Council and includin g the right to institute a 
voluntary, golden handshake scheme; 
(b)  to approve the proposed annual plan of work including key performance 
indicators, the annual and revised budgets, the annual report and the annual 
statement of accounts; 
(c) to approve strategic plans and approve financial resource development plans of 
the Council; 
(d)  to approve accreditation standards, for under -graduate medical and dental 
programs of study based in Pakistan; 
 
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(e)  to approve curriculum and scope of under -graduate medical and dental 
programs of study in Pakistan leading to general registration of the graduates of 
those programs to practice medicine and dentistry in Pakistan; 
(f)  to make rules and regulations for the conduct of admission in medical and dental 
colleges and examinations to be conducted by each province, Islamabad Capital 
Territory and Gilgit -Baltistan and approve the examination structures and 
standards of the national registration examination and the national equivalence 
board examination as proposed by the national medical and dental academic 
board including the standards of renewal and revalidation of registrations to 
practice medicine or dentistry in Pakistan; 
(g)  to grant recognition to medical and  dental institutions in Pakistan which train 
or grant or both train and grant medical and dental post graduate qualifications 
and to the qualifications granted by these institutions leading to registration of 
the graduates of those programs to practice med icine and dentistry in Pakistan 
as specialists; 
(h)  to approve the assessment of international under -graduate medical programs 
and institutions for registration of their graduates in Pakistan; 
(i)  to approve the assessment of authorities or institutions in other countries that 
conduct examinations for post graduate registration in medicine and dentistry 
or that accredit post graduate programs of study relevant to registration in 
medicine and dentistry; 
(j)  to approve listing for any new medical and dental specialists; 
(k)  to hear and decide complaints against licences of professional negligence and 
misconduct in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Council; 
(1)  to provide non-binding advice to the Federal Government through Minister-in-
charge and the Provincial Governments and the Majlis -e-Shoora (Parliament) 
when sought on proposals for granting a charter by the Majlis -e-Shoora 
(Parliament) to award post graduate degrees in the field of medicine and 
dentistry, both in public and private sector; 
(m)  to advise the Federal Government through Minister-incharge and the Provincial 
Governments, health -care commission, regulatory bodies in the field of 
medicine and dentistry and any other authority or local body on matters within 
the powers of the Comm ission under this Act and ancillary and incidental 
thereto; 
(n)  to work with international health, accreditation and testing authorities and 
agencies to bring about improvement in the furtherance of these objectives; 
(o)  to determine the remuneration and allowances to be paid to the members of the 
Council and board; 
(p)  to fix the salaries, remuneration and benefits of the officers and employees of 
the Council; 
 
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(q)  to constitute, from amongst its members or outside experts, such committees as 
the Counci l deems necessary to carry out the purposes and functions of the 
Council; 
(r)  to levy fees for grant, renewal or re -validation of licences, examinations, 
registrations, inspections, permissions, process and any and all other ancill ary 
services as may be performed by the Council in accordance with regulations 
prescribed by the Council subject to being in consonance with the purposes of 
providing the operational cost and long term financial sustenance and strength 
of the Council in accordance with the financial and development plans approved 
by the Council; 
(s)  to determine, in addition to penalties already provided for under this Act, the 
quantum of penalties in respect of any violation or offence pursuant to this Act 
or as may be provided for in accordanc e with regulations prescribed by the 
Council subject to the quantum being a fair compensation for the wrong caused 
and a deterrent to future violations of similar nature by any person; 
(t)  to hear appeals against any order, act or decision of the national  medical and 
dental academic board; and 
(u)  to do all such matters as are ancillary including issuance of policies or making 
of regulations, convenient for or which foster or promote the advancement of 
matters that are the subject of these objectives and this Act. 
  (3) The Council may, of its own motion or otherwise, call for and examine the record of any 
proceedings in which an order has been passed by any officer, committee or board of the Council for 
the purpose of satisfying itself as to the correctness, legality  or propriety or any finding or order and 
may pass such orders as it may deem fit: 
  Provided that no such order shall be passed unless the person to be affected thereby is afforded 
an opportunity of being heard. 
  10. Composition of national medical and d ental academic board. — (1) The board shall 
comprise the following members to be notified after approval by the Federal Government through 
Minister-in-charge in the official Gazette, namely:— 
(a)  the Chairman, Higher Education Commission of Pakistan; 
(b)  the President of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan; 
(c)  two deans or heads of department of a public medical university or college 
nominated by each Provincials Government, Islamabad Capital Territory and 
Gilgit-Baltistan from amongst the universities located in the respective 
province or area; 
(d)  one dean or head of departm ent of a private medical university or college 
nominated by each Provincial Government, Islamabad Capital Territory and 
Gilgit-Baltistan from amongst the u niversities located in the respective 
province or area; 
 
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(e)  one dean or head of department of a public dental university or college 
nominated by each Provincial Government, Islamabad Capital Territory and 
Gilgit-Baltistan from amongst the universities loc ated in the respective 
province or area; 
(f)  one dean or head of department of a private dental university or college 
nominated by each Provincial Government, Islamabad Capital Territory and 
Gilgit-Baltistan from amongst the universities located in the re spective 
province or area; and 
(g)  the principal of the Army Medical College. 
  (2) After the notification of the members of the board, the Council shall forthwith and not later 
than fifteen days from the issuance of notification call the first meeting of the newly constituted board. 
  (3) A dean of public sector medical university or teaching hospital or post graduate medical 
institution shall be the ex-officio Chairman of the board to be nominated by the Council. 
  (4) No act done by the board shall be invalid on the ground merely on existence of any vacancy 
in, or any defect in the constitution of, the board. 
  11. Term of office of board members. — (1) The term of a board’ s member shall be four 
years unless earlier withdrawn by the nominating or appointing authority for reasons to be disclosed 
to the member prior to such withdrawal. No member of the board shall serve f or more than two 
consecutive terms. 
  (2) If a member nominated to the board under clauses (c), (d), (e) and (f) of sub-section (1) of 
section 10 fails to attend three consecutive meetings of the board without any valid reason or remains 
out of Pakistan for a continuous period exceeding one year, he shall cease to be the member of the 
board and the nominating authority shall be requir ed to nominate a new member in accordance with 
section 10. 
  (3) A member shall be removed by the division concerned, if— 
(a)  his name has been removed from the register of practitioners as a result of 
inquiry under this Act; or 
(b)  he becomes insane or is declared un-discharged insolvent by a competent court; 
or 
(c)  he is convicted of a criminal offence involving moral turpitude, including 
unprofessional and un-ethical conduct under this Act; or 
(d)  his nomination is withdrawn in accordance with sub-section (1). 
  (4) If the membership of a member is called in question, on any of the reasons provided for 
under sub-section (3), his membership shall be deemed suspended until the issuance of a notification 
of removal by the division concerned under sub-section (1). 
  (5) Where the said term of four years is about to expire in respect of any member, his successor 
may be nominated at any time within three months before the expiry of said term, but the successor 
shall not assume office until the expiry of the said term. 
 
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  (6) A nominated member may, at any time, resign from his membership by writing under his 
hand address to the President of the Council and the seat of such member shall be deemed to have 
fallen vacant from the date of acceptance of his resignation by the President. 
  (7) A vacancy in the board shall be filled through the prescribed process of nomination under 
section 10 and the person nominated to fill the vacancy shall hold office for the remaining term of the 
vacancy. Any nomination required to fill a vacancy shall be submitted within fifteen days of such 
vacancy having occurred. 
  12. Meetings of the board. —(1) The board shall meet at least once in three months at the 
office of the Council on such date and at such time as may be decided by the Chairman. A notice of 
the meeting shall be issued at least fourteen days prior to the meeting. 
  (2) A meeting of the b oard for a specific purpose may be called by the Council at a date and 
time to be determined by the President of the Council in consultation with the Chairman of the board. 
In the absence of Chairman of the board, any member may preside over the meeting with the consensus 
of the present members. 
  (3) A minimum of two-thirds of the members of the board shall form a quorum and all of the 
acts of the board shall be decided by a majority of the members present and voting. 
  (4) The registrar of the Council sha ll act as secretary of the national medical and dental 
academic board. 
  13. Powers and functions of the board. —(1) The board shall have the followin g functions 
and powers, namely:— 
    (a) to formulate accreditation standards, for undergraduate medical an d dental 
programs of study based in Pakistan and recommend to the Council for its approval; 
    (b)  to formulate curriculum and scope of under -graduate medical and dental 
programs of study in Pakistan leading to general or specialist registration of the g raduates of those 
programs to practice medicine and dentistry in Pakistan and recommended to the Council for its 
approval; 
   (c)  to formulate the examination pr ocedure and structure for the MD CAT to be 
conducted by the respective provinces for approval of the Council; 
  (d)  to formulate the examination structure and standards for the NEB examinations 
of different levels and to set up and authorize a committee of not less than three persons to formulate 
the NEB examination papers for approval of the Council; 
  (e)  to formulate and recommend to the Council for its approval the standards, scope 
and structure of the registration re -validation standards (LRS) and to formulate the necessary 
procedures for re-validation of registrations; 
  (f)  to review and issue recommendations in respect of the academic standard of 
any foreign institution referred by the Council; and 
  (g)  to recommend to the Council matters pertaining to policies for improvement of 
the quality of medical and dental practitioners and health-care in Pakistan. 
 
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  14. Registrar of the Council. —(1) The Council shall appoint through a transparent process 
on merit a registrar who shall act as the registrar to the Council and the board in the prescribed manner. 
  (2) The registrar shall maintain all records of the Council and the board including recording 
and issuing the minutes of all meetings of the Council and the board in real time and as approved at 
the relevant meeting and shall under his signatures issue all notifications and decisions of the Council 
and the board as and when necessary. 
  (3)  The registrar shall be the custodian of the common seal of the Council. 
  (4)  The registrar shall cause to be displayed on the website of the Council all minutes of the 
meetings of th e Council and the board as approved, audited accounts of the Council and all 
notifications and decisions of the Council and the board. 
  15. Committee of the Council.—The Council and the board shall have the power to constitute 
necessary committees comprising its members and such other persons as the Council and the board 
deem proper for undertaking the functions of the Council or to advise and assist the Council and th e 
board in exercise of its powers. 
  16. Executive committee. —(1) The executive committee shall consist of nine maximum 
members, of whom seven shall be elected by the Council from amongst its members and of which at 
least one shall be from a dental univers ity or college and one from the medical university. The 
President shall have the power to co-opt a maximum of two additional members to the Committee. 
  (2) The President of the Council shall be ex-officio member of the executive committee and 
shall be its President. 
  (3) In addition to the power and duties conferred and imposed upon it by this Act, the executive 
committee shall exercise and discharge such powers and duties as the Council may confer upon it by 
regulations and shall have the power and respo nsibility to take decisions of administrative and 
financial nature for the smooth functioning and working of the Council. 
  17. Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Tests (MDCAT). —(1) Each province, Gilgit-
Baltistan and Islamabad Capital Territory as per the policy and standards approved by the Provincial 
Governments and Federal Government  respectively shall conduct on the dates approved by the 
Council, a single admission test based on the intermediate or equivalent syllabus for all students 
seeking admission in undergraduate programs both in public and private medical and dental colleges 
and universities. 
  (2) No student shall be awarded a medical or dental degree in Pakistan who has not passed the 
MDCAT prior to obtaining admission in a medical or dental college in Pakistan: 
  Provided that the mandatory requirement of MDCAT shall not apply to students seeking 
admission on a special program seat predefined exclusively for foreign students and on the seats 
reserved for overseas Pakistanis. 
  (3) The admission to medical and dental programs conducted by public and private colleges 
and universities shall be regulated as per the policy and standards of the Federal Government through 
Minister-incharge, Provincia l Government and Gilgit -Baltistan strictly on merit. However, private 
colleges may take any additional entrance test subject to any condition imposed by the relevant 
university to which such college is affiliated: 
 
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  Provided that the marks obtained by a student in MDCAT conducted by the pr ovince shall 
constitute a minimum of fifty percent of the weightage for the purposes of admission in the public and 
private colleges. 
  (4) The MDCAT result of one province shall be valid for the entire country and shall be valid 
for a period of three years. Each province, Gilgit-Baltistan and Islamabad Capital Territory shall give 
preference to the students having domicile of their respective province or territory as the case may be. 
  (5) Admissions on vacant seats shall be decided by the respective provi ncial government and 
respective authority in case of Gilgit-Baltistan and Islamabad Capital Territory. 
  18. National Registration Examination (NRE).— (1) The Council shall at least twice a year 
as per schedule approved by the Council conduct the NRE for P akistani foreign graduate students. 
Passing the NRE shall be mandatory for obtaining a full registration. The NRE shall be substantially 
based on objective computer based multiple choice questions and a practical component if determined 
by the Council: 
  Provided that there shall be no limit on the number of times a person may attempt the NRE. 
  (2) A person, having obtained an undergraduate medical or dental qualification issued by a 
foreign university or an undergraduate medical or dental qualification is sued by a foreign institution 
duly recognized by the Council, shall be granted a provisional registration to undertake his house job 
within fourteen days of verification of their qualification by the granting institution: 
  Provided that the person to whom a provisional registration is granted shall complete the 
mandatory requirement of passing the NRE at any time prior to issuance of full registration of foreign 
Pakistani graduates. 
  (3) Any medical or dental practitioner who has obtained a registration to practice in any foreign 
country after having qualified from a foreign institution recognized by the Council shall be required 
to qualify the NRE for grant of a full registration to practice in Pakistan. 
  19. National Equivalence Board Examination (NEB).—(1) The Council shall at least twice 
a year as per schedule approved by the Council conduct the NEB to assess and oversee the assessment 
of the knowledge, clinical skills and professional attributes of students who have partially completed 
a medical and dental program in a foreign institution and are seeking transfer to and admission in a 
medical or dental college in Pakistan. The NEB shall be substantially based on objective computer 
based multiple choice questions. 
  (2) Any student who has been enro lled by a medical or dental institution or college outside 
Pakistan and has completed more than two years of the program may seek transfer and admission to a 
medical or dental college in Pakistan subject to qualifying the relevant standard of the NEB for t he 
prescribed period of each program of study pursuant to which the student shall be qualified to obtain 
admission in the immediately subsequent year. 
  (3) A student shall be required to take the NEB within twelve months of having left his program 
of study outside Pakistan in order to be eligible for admission to a medical or dental college in Pakistan. 
  20. Standards of medical and dental education. — (l) All universities shall ensure that all 
medical and dental colleges at the time of seeking affiliation fulfill and thereafter consistently maintain 
the accreditation standards including the maximum students in each year permitted consequent to the 
 
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accreditation standards for undergraduate medical and dental programs of study based in Pakistan as 
formulated by the board and approved by the Council: 
  Provided that every private medical and dental college seeking affiliation shall be body 
corporate registered as a limited company under the Companies Act, 2017 (XIX of 2017). 
  (2) All universities shall ensure that all affiliated or constituent colleges conduct programs of 
study for grant of undergraduate medical or dental degrees as per the curriculum and scope of 
undergraduate medical education prescribed by the board and approved by the Council. 
  (3) All universities shall ensure that all affiliated or constituent colleges within thirty days of 
completing their admissions each year provide to the Council particulars of the students enrolled and 
further provide any change in the status of the students during the students' period of studies including 
discontinuation of studies or transfer to another college within fifteen days of such change occurring. 
  (4) All universities shall within ten days of students having successfully completed the program 
of study and passed their final examinations inform the Council verifying the results to enable the 
students to be registered. 
  (5) The standard and structure of faculty shall be regulated as prescribed by the national 
medical and dental ac ademic board of Pakistan or any other law applicable to a teaching institution 
subject to the minimum standards determined by the board. 
  (6) Any violation by a medical or dental college shall be actionable by  the Council in 
accordance with regulations as may be prescribed. 
  (7) All medical and dental colleges shall, at least three months prior to initiating the annual 
admissions process, publicly declare the fixed tuition and all ancillary fee structure on an annual basis 
for the entire program of study in which the students are seeking enrolment and which fee structure 
shall not be enhanced during the students period of enrolment at the college. No medical or dental 
college shall seek, demand or receive from a student or a student’ s family, directly or indirectly, any  
donation or other payment prior to or at the time of  admission or thereafter during the period of the 
students continuing enrolment at  the college whether as consideration for grant of admission or 
otherwise. 
  (8) At the beginning of each year, medical and dental colleges in respect of their undergraduate 
medical or dental program shall submit their annual financial statements for the previous year and any 
other years required by the Council, proposed fee structure and its justification to the Council. 
  (9) The private medical and dental college may obtain affiliation with any university having a 
medical faculty, duly recognized by the national medical and dental academic b oard subject to such 
university’s territorial jurisdiction. 
  21. Recognition of medical institutions and qualifications. —(1) The Federal Government 
through Minister-in-charge may grant recognition to any medical institution in Pakistan which trains 
or grants or both trains and grants medical qualifications and the qualifications granted by them. All 
such recognized medical institutions or qualificati ons shall be included in the First Schedule by the 
Federal Government through Minister-in-charge by notification in the official Gazette. 
  (2) If any medical institution in Pakistan intends to get recognition of the institution which 
trains or grants or both trains and grants medical qualifications or qualification granted by it in 
 
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pursuance of sub-section (1) it shall apply to the Federal Government through Minister -in-charge for 
the same. 
  (3) The Federal Government through Minister -in-charge shall transmit the application to the 
Council after being satisfied that application is complete and is in accordance with the prescribed 
procedure. The Council shall form recommendati ons for the Federal Government through Minister -
in-charge after assessing the institution and the qualification as per prescribed procedure. Upon 
receiving recommendations from the Council, the Federal Government through Minister -in-charge 
shall grant recognition as provided under sub-section (1). 
  (4) The notification for the grant of recognition may also direct that an entry shall be made in 
the last column of the First Schedule against such institution and medical qualification granted by it, 
declaring that it shall be a recognized medical institution or qualification only when granted after the 
date of notification. 
  22. Recognition of hospitals or institutions for house job or internship or foundation year 
training.—(1) The Federal Government through Minister-in-charge may grant recognition to any 
hospitals or institutions in Pakistan which train for house job or internship or foundation year. All such 
recognized hospitals or institutions shall be included in the Fourth Schedule by the Federal 
Government through Minister-in-charge by notification in the official Gazette. 
  (2) If any hospital or institution in Pakistan intends to get recognition of the hospital or 
institution which trains for house job, internship or foundation year in pursuance of sub-section (1), it 
shall apply to the Federal Government through Minister-in-charge for the same. 
  (3) The Federal Government through Minister -in-charge shall transmit the application to the 
Council after being satisfied that application is complete and is in accordance with the prescribed 
procedure. The Council shall form recommendations for the Federal Government through Minister -
in-charge after assessing the hospital or institution as per prescribed procedure. Upon receiving 
recommendations from the Counc il, the Federal Government through Minister -in-charge shall grant 
recognition as provided under sub-section (1). 
  (4) The notification for the grant of recognition may also direct that an entry shall be made in 
the last column of the Fifth Schedule agains t such hospital or institution, declaring that it shall be a 
recognized hospital or institution only when granted after the date of notification. 
  23. Arrangements for schemes with foreign countries.—At any time, the Council may enter 
into negotiations with the appropriate authority in any foreign country or organization, for the settling 
of a scheme for improvement of medical or dental education in Pakistan or postgraduate degrees or 
any matter or prospect related to the medical or dental profession. 
  24. Power of the Council to certify certain persons to be possessed of sufficient medical 
qualification.— (1) If after conducting national registration examination by the board, the Council is 
satisfied that a person holding a qualification granted by a medi cal institution outside Pakistan, is 
possessed of sufficient knowledge and skill to be registered as a practitioner for the purpose of this 
Act, it may recommend to the Federal Government through Minister-in-charge to issue a notification 
in favour of such person to register him and his qualification. Upon such notification, the Council shall 
register the qualification possessed by the person without it being entered in any of the Schedule of 
this Act. 
 
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  (2) The Council shall register the qualification gran ted by a medical institution outside 
Pakistan, possessed by the person by maintaining a separate list in the register. 
  25. Additional medical or dental qualifications. —(1) The Federal Government through 
Minister-in-charge ma y grant recognition to any post-graduate medical or dental institutions in or 
outside Pakistan which train or grant or both train and grant additional medical or dental qualifications 
and the qualifications granted by them. All such recognized additional medical or dental  institutions 
or qualifications shall be included in the Second Schedule by the Federal Government through 
Minister-in-charge by notification in the official Gazette. 
  (2) If any post -graduate medical or dental institution in or outside Pakistan intends to  get 
recognition of the institution which trains or grants or both trains and grants additional medical and 
dental qualifications or qualification granted by it in pursuance of sub-section (l), it shall apply to the 
Federal Government through Minister-in-charge for the same. If an institution wishes to only train for 
a recognized postgraduate qualifications h any speciality, it shall apply to the qualification awarding 
body and after consultation and approval of the Council, the institution shall be added i n the Second 
Schedule. 
  (3) The Federal Government through Minister -in-charge shall transmit the application to the 
Council after being satisfied that application is complete and is in accordance with the prescribed 
procedure. The Council in consultation with the board shall form recommendations for the Federal 
Government through Minister -incharge after assessing the institution and the qualification as per 
prescribed procedure. Upon receiving recommendations from the Council, the Federal Government 
through Minister-in-charge shall grant recognition as provided under sub-section (1). 
  (4) The notification for the grant of recognition may also direct that an entry shall be made in 
the last column of the Second Schedule against such institution and additiona l medical or dental 
qualification granted by it, declaring that it shall be a recognized post -graduate medical or dental 
institution and additional medical or dental qualification only when granted after the date of 
notification. 
  26. Recognition of foreign additional medical or dental qualification.—The Council shall 
evaluate any additional medical or dental qualifications granted by any foreign institution and may— 
(a) recommend to the Federal Government through Minister -in-charge that such 
institution or qualification be— 
(i) recognized and included in the Second Schedule as specified in 
section25; or 
(ii)  notified only and shall not be included in the Second Schedule, however, 
a separate list thereof shall be maintained; or 
  (b) proceed as per section 24 or 30, as the case may be. 
  27. Recognition of continuous professional development opportunity providers.— (l) The 
Federal Government through Minister -in-charge may grant recognition to any organization in 
Pakistan, which provides opportunities  of continuous professional development to the registered 
medical and dental practitioners. All such recognized organizations shall be included in the Fifth 
Schedule by the Federal Government through Minister -in-charge by notification in the official 
Gazette. 
 
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  (2) If any organization in Pakistan, which provides opportunities of continuous professional 
development to the registered medical and dental practitioners, intends to get recognition of the 
organization in pursuance of sub -section ( 1) it shall apply to the Federal Government through 
Minister-in-charge for the same. 
  (3) The Federal Government through Minister -in-charge shall transmit the application to the 
Council after being satisfied that application is complete and is in accordance with the prescribed 
procedure. The Council shall form recommendations for the Federal Government through Minister -
in-charge after assessing the institution and the qualification as per prescribed procedure. Upon 
receiving recommendations from the Council, the Feder al Government through Minister -in-charge 
shall grant recognition a s provided under sub -section (1 ), declaring that it shall be a recognized 
organization in Pakistan, which provides opportunities of continuous professional development to the 
registered medical and dental practitioners only when granted after the date of notification. 
  (4) A separate list of continuous professional development opportunities providing 
organizations shall be maintained by the Council. 
  28. Role of specialists boards.—(1) The Federal Government through Minister-in-charge may 
grant recognition to specialists boards which shall help the Council in maintenance of such minimum 
standards of proficiency in that particular specialty as may be prescribed by the Council. All 
recognized specialists boards shall be included in the Sixth Schedule by the Federal Government 
through Minister-in-charge by notification in the official Gazette. 
  (2) The Council shall authorize a specialists board constituted as per prescribed procedures and 
shall form recommendations for the Federal Government through Minister-in-charge. Upon receiving 
recommendations from the Council, the Federal Government through Minister -in-charge shall grant 
recognition as provided under sub-section (1), declaring that it shall be a recognized specialists board 
only when granted after the date of notification. 
  29. Recognition of medical and dental institutions and qualifications. —(1) The Federal 
Government through Minister-in-charge may grant recognition to any medical and dental institutions 
in Pakistan which train or grant or both train and grant medical and dental qualifications and the 
qualifications granted by them. All such recognized medical and dental institutions or qualifications 
shall be included in the Thir d Schedule by the Federal Government through Minister -in-charge by 
notification in the official Gazette. 
  (2) If any medical and dental institution in Pakistan intends to get recognition of the institution 
which trains or grants or both trains and grants medical and dental qualifications or qualification 
granted by it in pursuance of sub-section (1) it shall apply to the Federal Government through Minister-
in-charge for the same. 
  (3) The Federal Government through Minister -in-charge shall transmit the application to the 
Council after being satisfied that application is complete and is in accordance with the prescribed 
procedure. The Council shall form recommendations for the Federal Government through Minister -
in-charge after assessing the institution and  the qualification as per prescribed procedure. Upon 
receiving recommendations from the Council, the Federal Government through Minister -in-charge 
shall grant recognition as provided under sub-section (l). 
  (4) The notification for the grant of recognition may also direct that an entry shall be made in 
the last column of the Third Schedule against such institution and medical and dental qualification 
 
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granted by it, declaring that it shall be a recognized medical and dental institution and medical an d 
dental qualification only when granted after the date of notification. 
  30. Power of the Council to certify certain persons to be possessed of sufficient dental 
qualifications.— (1) If after conducting NRE by the board, the Council is satisfied that a p erson 
holding a qualification granted by a dental institution outside Pakistan, is possessed of sufficient 
knowledge and skill to be registered as a practitioner for the purpose of this Act, it may recommend 
to the Federal Government through Minister-in-charge to issue a notification in favour of such person 
to register him and his qualification. Upon such notification, the Council shall register the qualification 
possessed by the person without it being entered in any Schedule of this Act. 
  (2) The Council shall register the qualification granted by a dental institution outside Pakistan, 
possessed by the person by maintaining a separate list in the register. 
  31. Power to acquire information as to courses of study and examination.— Every medical 
or dental institution or hospital or organization in Pakistan recognized under this Act, which trains for 
or grants or both trains for and grants a medical or a dental qualification, additional medical or dental 
qualification, trains for house job or internship or foundation year or is a continuous professional 
development opportunity provider shall furnish such info rmation as the Council may, from time to 
time, require about the facilities and faculty available in the institution, courses of study and processes 
of admission of the institution concerned, examinations required to be undergone prior to such 
qualifications being conferred and generally as to the requisites for obtaining such qualifications. 
  32. Inspection.— (1) The executive committee constituted by the Council shall approve a list 
of inspectors in the country and the President shall commission such number of medical or dental 
inspectors from the approved list, as he may deem appropriate, to inspect the facilities for training 
available at the medical or dental institutions and attend at any or all of the examinations held by 
medical or dental institutions in Pakistan recognized under this Act for the purpose of granting 
recognized medical or dental or additional medical or dental qualifications. 
  (2) Inspectors appointed under this section shall form a comprehensive report about the 
facilities for training in the institution and shall not interfere with conduct of any examinations and 
shall report to the executive committee on the standard of the inspected examination which they attend 
and on the courses of study and facilities for teaching provided by the medical or dental institution  
inspected for different stages leading up to examinations and on any other matters in regard to which 
the President or committee may require them to report. 
  (3) The executive committee shall forward a copy of any such report to the medical or dental 
institution concerned and shall also forward a copy, with the remarks of such medical or dental 
institution thereon, to the Council. 
  33. Withdrawal of recognition.—(1) If a recognized institution is violating provisions of this 
Act and rules and regulations made thereunder or the facilities for training for the courses of study or 
standard of exami nation in the institution to obtain a recognized medical or dental qualification, 
additional medical or dental qualification, training for house job or internship of foundation year or in 
a continuous professional development opportunity providing organiza tion has deteriorated to an 
extent that the standard of proficiency required from candidates at any examination held for the 
purpose of granting such qualification is not such as to secure to persons holding such qualification 
the knowledge and skill requisite for the efficient practice of medicine or dentistry, the Council may 
stop further intake of students in the institution and forward a summary of its findings and its intend 
to the medical or dental institution with an intimation of the period within which the medical or dental 
 
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institution may submit its explanation to the Council and may request for a hearing before the Council 
if it so desires. 
  (2) If the Council is not satisfied with the explanation then it shall make a recommendation to 
the Federal Government through Minister-in-charge for closure of the institution to which shall include 
a scheme for adjustment of students in other recognized institutions of the corresponding public or 
private sector, as the case may be. 
  (3) On the recommendatio ns of the Council, the Federal Government through Minister -in-
charge may, by notification in the official Gazette, direct that an entry shall be made in the First, 
Second, Third, Fourth or Fifth Schedule, as the case may be, against the said medical or den tal or a 
postgraduate institution  and qualification granted by it, hospital or continuous professional 
development opportunity provider declaring that it shall be a recognized medical, dental or additional 
medical or dental qualification, institution, hosp ital and continuous professional development 
opportunity provider only before the date of notification. 
  34. Establishment and running of medical and dental institutions without recognition.— 
No person shall run nor establish any institution for training or grant or both training or grant of 
medical or dental qualifications, additional medical or dental education, training for house job, 
internship or foundation year or an organization for continuous professional development opportunity 
providing neither shall any university grant affiliation to any such an  institution nor any such 
institution shall award any degree unless recognition has been granted to such college or institution 
under this Act. 
  35. Penalty.—(1) Whoever runs or establishes or endorses any institution or advertises 
admissions in an institution for imparting education in medicine or dentistry, which is not recognized 
under sections 21, 22, 25, 26 or 29 or in respect of which recognition has been withdrawn under section 
33, shall be guilty of an offence punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend 
to five years, but shall not be less than a year, or with fine which may extend to twenty million rupees, 
but shall not be less than ten million rupees, or with both and shall also be liable to closure of such 
institution. 
  (2) Where any contravention of this Act has been committed by a body corporate or institution 
and it appears from the relevant documents that such offence has been committed with the consent or 
connivance of or is attributed to any negligence on the part of any director, partner, manager, secretary 
or other officer of the body corporate or institution, such director, partner, manager, secretary or other 
officer of the body corporate or institution shall be deemed guilty of such contravention along with 
the body corporate or institution and shall be punished accordingly: 
  Provided that in the case of a company a s defined under the Companies Ac t, 2017 (XIX of 
2017), as amended from time to time, only its chief executive shall be liable under this section. 
  Explanation.— For the purposes of this section, “body corporate or institution ” includes a 
firm, association of persons and a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (XXI 
of 1860) as amended from time to time, or under the Co-operative Societies Act, 1912 (II of 1912), as 
amended from time to time. 
  (3) Where any contravention of this Act has been committed by any Government agency, local 
authority or local council and it appears from the relevant documents that such contravention has been 
committed with the consent or connivance of or is attributable to any negligence on the part of the 
head or any other officer of the Gover nment agency, local authority or local council, such head or 
 
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other officer shall also be deemed guilty of such contravention along with the Government agency, 
local authority or local council and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly. 
  36. Maintenance of register of medical practitioners. — (1) The Council shall maintain a 
register of medical practitioners possessing qualifications which are recognized medical or additional 
medical qualifications for the purposes of this Act and may prescribe the necessary particulars to be  
entered in the register. Holders of a recognized basic degree shall be registered on provisional basis 
for internship or foundation or house job of a minimum of one year duly assessed, hands on clinical 
rotation in an approved hospital or  institution included in the Fourth Schedule which shall be 
mandatory for conversion of provisional registration into full registration. 
  (2) The practitioner shall be deemed to hold a valid registration and  entitled to be known and 
eligible for privileges of a registered medical  practitioner if his name is retained on the register after 
fulfilment of requirements  of continuation of registration as lai d down by the Council from time to 
time and provided he had  paid the dues of the Council. The valid registration certificate shall be the 
licence to practice medicine in Pakistan. 
  37. Maintenance of register of dental practitioners. —(1) The Council shall maintain a 
register of dental practitioners possessing qua lifications which are recognized dental or additional 
dental qualifications for the purposes of this Act and may prescribe the necessary particulars to be 
entered in the register. Holders of a recognized basic degree shall be registered on provisional  basis 
for internship or foundation or house job of a minimum of  one year duly assessed, hands on clinical 
rotation in an approved hospital or institution included in the Fourth Schedule which shall be 
mandatory for conversion of provisional registration into full registration. 
  (2) The practitioner shall be deemed to hold valid registration and entitled to be known and 
eligible for privileges of a registered dental practitioner if his name is retained on the register after 
fulfillment of requirements of continuation of registration as laid down by the Council from time to 
time and provided he had paid the dues of the Council. The valid registration certificate  shall be the 
licence to practice dentistry in Pakistan. 
  38. Registers to be public documents.— The register maintained under section 36 or section 
37 shall be deemed to be public document within the meaning of  the Qanun-e-Shahadat, 1984 (P.O. 
10 of 1984). 
  39. Penalty for fraudulent representation or registration.— Whoever falsely pretends to be 
registered under this Act as a medical practitioner or dentist and uses with his name or title any words 
or letters representing that he is so registered with the Council or uses the word “doctor” without legal 
basis, irrespective of whether an y person is actually deceived by such pretence or representation or 
not, shall, on conviction before a Magistrate of the first class, be  punishable with fine which may 
extend to one hundred thousand rupees or with imprisonment for a term which may extend t o six 
months or with both. Any person found aiding and abetting him shall also be prosecuted and punished. 
  40. Penalty  of practicing without registra tion.—(1) No person, other than a registered 
medical or dental practitioner, shall practice medicine or dentistry. 
  (2) Any person who acts in contravention of t he provisions of sub -section (l) shall be 
punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, but shall not be less than six 
months, or with fine which may extend to two hundred thousand rupees, but shall not be less than one 
hundred thousand rupees, or with both. 
 
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  41. Cognizance of offences.—(1) No court except the Medical Tribunal established under the 
Medical Tribunal Act, 2020 (XXX IV of 2020) shall take cognizance of any offence or matter under 
this Act except upon complaint in writing made by the authorized officer of the Council. 
  (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 
1898), it shall be lawful for the Medical Tribun al established under the Medical Tribunal Act, 2020 
(XXXIV of 2020) to pass any sentence authorized by this Act even if such sentence exceeds his powers 
under section 32 of the said Code. 
  42. Privileges of registered medical or dental practitioners. —(l) A registered medical 
practitioner and dentist shall have following privileges, namely:— 
(a) valid registration shall be considered as a licence to practice medicine and 
dentistry in Pakistan and of a level mentioned by the Council in the registration 
certificate; 
(b)  valid full registration holder shall be competent to practice medicine or dentistry 
and prescribe allopathic medicine and perform any surgical or interventional 
procedure on any patient; 
(c)  a registered medical practitioner or a registered dentist having valid full 
registration may take admission for an additional qualification course; 
(d)  to hold any medical or dental or relevant administrative appointment in any 
medical or dental institution or setup or hospitals or clinic or r elated health 
institution; and 
(e)  to hold a commission as a medical or dental officer in the armed forces. 
  (2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any other law for the time being in 
force, no medical certificate or prescription or advice shall be considered valid unless obtained from 
a medical or dental practitioner having valid registration. 
  (3) No person shall be entitled to recover any charge in any court of law for any medical or 
surgical advice or attendance o r for the performance of any operation or intervention or for any 
medicine prescribed or supplied unless he can prove upon the trial that he is a registered medical 
practitioner, or registered dental practitioner, having valid registration. 
  43. Responsib ilities of registered medical or dental practitioner. — (1) Every registered 
medical or dental practitioner shall notify any transfer of the place of his residence or practice to the 
registrar within sixty days of such transfer, failing which his name is liable to be struck off the register 
by order of the Federal Government through Minister-in-charge either permanently or for such period 
as may be specified therein. 
  (2) No registered person shall use or publish in any way whatsoever any time, title, description 
or symbol indicating or calculated to lead persons to infer that he possesses any additional or other 
professional qualification unless the same has been conferred upon him by a legally constituted 
authority within or outside Pakistan and which is recognized under this Act. 
  (3) Every registered medical practitioner or dental practitioner shall comply with the code of 
medical ethics prescribed by the Council. 
 
Page 23 of 36 
  44. Removal of names from the register.—(1) The Council, in its discretion, may direct the 
registrar to remove altogether or for a specified period from the register the name of any registered 
medical practitioner or registered dentist who has been convicted by the disciplinary committee or by 
any other court of law of any such offence as implies in the opinion of the Council a defect of character 
defined in the code of ethics of practice or who, after an inquiry at  which opportunity has been given 
to such person to be heard in person or through  a pleader, has been convicted by the disciplinary 
committee of the Council as  guilty of professional negligence or incompetence in a patient -doctor 
scenario in clinical setting or who has shown himself to be unfit to continue in practice or on account 
of mental ill health or other grounds as prescribed in the code of ethics of practice regulations and the 
complaint and matter shall finish if the complainant withdraws his complaint. 
  (2) The Council may also direct that any name removed from t he register under sub -section 
(1) shall be restored. 
  (3) For the purpose of  an inquiry under sub -section (1 ), the disciplinary committee of the 
Council shall exercise all the powers of a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Act V 
of 1908) for summoning the witnesses, for compellin g the production of documents and for issuing 
commissions with the help of law enforcing authorities. 
  (4) The claim of professional negligence shall initially be established  before the disciplinary 
committee of the Council before any other proceedings. 
  45. Officers etc. deemed to be public servants.—The members, offices, employees and other 
staff of the Council shall deem to be public servants within the meanings of section 21 of the Pakistan 
Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860).  
  46. Indemnity. —No suit, pros ecution or other proceedings shall lie against the Federal 
Government through Minister -in-charge, the division concerned, the Council, the board or any 
committee of the Council, President, or any member, officer or employee of the Council in respect of 
anything done or intended to be done in good faith under this Act. 
  47. Power to make rules and regulations.—(1) The Council may, with the prior approval of 
the Federal Government through Minister-in-charge, make statutory rules and regulations generally to 
carry out the purposes of this Act and, without prejudice to the generality of this power, such rules and 
regulations may provide for— 
(a) the management of the property of the Council and the maintenance  and audit 
of its accounts; 
(b)  the summoning and holding of meetings of the Council, the times and places 
where such meetings are to be held, the conduct of business there at; 
(c)  the powers and duties of the President; 
(d)  the mode of appointment of the executive committee and other committees, the 
summoning and holding of meetings and the conduct of business of such 
committees; 
(e)  code of practice and ethics for the medical and dental practitioners;  
(f)  the appointment, powers, duties and procedures of medical and  dental 
inspectors: 
 
Page 24 of 36 
(g)  the conditions and procedure for maintenance, compilation and publication of 
the register of medical and dental practitioners and of health care providing 
facilities and their minimum requirements and the fees to be charged for 
registration and, if  necessary, for opening of sub -offices or branches for this 
purpose; 
(h)  the procedure for any inquiry under sub-section (l) of section 44; and 
(i)  any matter for which under this Act provision may be made by  rules and 
regulations. 
  (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub -section (1), the Council  shall make statutory 
regulations which may provide for— 
(a)  prescribing a uniform minimum standard of courses of training for obtaining 
graduate and post-graduate medical and dental qualifications to be included or 
included respectively in the First and Third Schedules; 
(b)  prescribing minimum requirements for the content and duration of courses of 
study as aforesaid; 
(c)  prescribing the conditions for admission to courses of training as aforesaid; 
(d)  prescribing minimum qualifications and experience required of teachers for 
appointment in medical and dental institutions; 
(e)  prescribing the standards of examinations, methods of conducting the 
examinations and other requirements to be satisfied for securing recognition of 
medical and dental qualifications under this Act; 
(f)  prescribing the qualifications, experience and other conditions required for 
examiners for professional examinations in medicine and dentistry antecedent 
to the granting of recognized medical and  dental and additional medical and 
dental qualifications; 
(g)  registration of medical or dental students at any medical or dental college or 
school or any university and the fees payable in respect of such registration; 
(h)  laying down criteria including university affiliation, conditions and 
requirements for recognition and continuation of recognition and for grant of 
status of a teaching institution of institutions and organizations under this Act 
and on all connected matters of inspection of medical and dental institutions for 
recognition and continuation of recognition and inspection of examinations in 
these institutions and fee for such inspections; 
(i)  terms and conditions of service for all employees appointed u nder section 9 
which shall be Gazette notified; 
(j)  election of members of the Council; and 
 
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(k)  prescribing a uniform minimum standard for continuous professional 
development for registered graduate and post -graduate medical and dental 
practitioners. 
  48. Information to be furnished by the Council and publication thereof.—(l) The Council 
shall furnish such reports, copies of its minutes, abstracts of its accounts and other information to the 
Federal Government through Minister-in-charge as it may require. 
  (2) The Federal Government through Minister -in-charge may publish, in such manner as it 
may think fit, any report, copy, abstract or other information furnished to it under this section or under 
section 21. 
  49. Commission of inquiry.—(1) Whenever it is made to appear t o the Federal Government 
through Minister-in-charge that the Council is not complying with any provisions of this Act, the 
Federal Government through Minister-in-charge may refer for inquiry the particulars of the complaint 
to a commission of inquiry consisting of three persons two of whom shall be appointed by the Federal 
Government through Minister-in-charge, including the chairman being at least a judge of a High Court, 
and one member nominated by the Council after a resolution. 
  (2) Such commission shall proceed to inquire in a summary manner and to report to the Federal 
Government through Minister-in-charge as to the truth of the matter charged in the complaint and in 
case of any charge of default or of improper action being found by the comm ission to have been 
established, the commission shall recommend the remedies, if any, which are in its opinion necessary. 
  (3) The Federal Government through Minister-in-charge shall the report of the commission of 
inquiry to the Council for implementation and for remedial actions. The Council shall submit to the 
Federal Government through Minister -in-charge a detailed plan of remedial measures to be adopted 
by the Council which shall be considered as approved if no further orders are passed by the Federal 
Government through Minister-in-charge in this regard within three months. All remedial actions shall 
be taken by the Council within a stipulated period of six months and the Council shall submit to the 
Federal Government through Minister-in-charge a report of actions taken thereon. If the Council fails 
to comply with the remedial measures forwarded to it by the Federal Government through Minister -
in-charge, the Federal Government through Minister-in-charge may by itself amend the regulations of 
the Council or make s uch provisions or issue orders or take such other steps as may seem necessary 
to give effect to the recommendations of the commission. 
  (4) The commission of inquiry shall have power to administer oaths, to enforce the attendance 
of witnesses and the productions of documents and shall have other necessary powers for the purpose 
of any inquiry conducted b y it as are exercised by a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 
1908 (Act V of 1908). 
 50. Over-ridding provision.—The provisions of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding 
anything to the contrary contained in any other law for the time being in force. No suit, prosecution or 
other legal proceeding shall lie against the Government, the Council or any committee thereof or any 
officer or servant of the Government or the Council for anything which is in good faith done or 
intended to be done under this Act. 
  51. Repeals and Savings. —(1) Subject to section 6 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 (X of 
1897), the Pakistan Me dical Commission Act, 2020 (XXXIII of 2020) hereinafter referred to as the 
repealed Act, shall stand repealed. 
 
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  (2) Notwithstanding the repeal of the repealed Act or anything contrary contained herein, all 
decisions taken, regulations made or amended and disciplinary actions taken by the Commission of 
the dissolved Pakistan Medical Commission pursuant to the repealed Act and by the Pakistan Medical 
Commission pursuant the shall be deemed to have been validity made: 
  Provided that all regulations made and promulgated pursuant to the repealed Act, stand 
repealed and shall not be enforceable: 
  Provided further that the Council shall have the exclusive power to review and modify saved 
decision taken, regulation made or amended and disciplinary action taken. 
  (3) The dissolved Pakistan Medical Commission as formed pursuant to the repealed Act stands 
dissolved upon the commencement of this Act. 
  (4) All assets, rights moveable and immovable properties, records, cash, bank accounts, 
deposits etc., of the dissol ved Pakistan Medical Commission under the repealed Act shall stand 
transferred to the Council and shall be deemed to be the assets, rights, properties, records, cash, bank 
accounts, deposits etc., of the Council. 
  (5) On commencement of this Act all employees of the dissolved Pakistan Medical and Dental 
Council constituted under Pakistan Medical and Dental Council Ordinance, 1962 shall be deemed to 
be employees of the Council constituted under this Act on terms and conditions of their initial 
appointment under Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, 1962. 
  (6) Upon commencement of this Act any action taken, proceedings initiated, pending or 
concluded, decisions made, orders passed or notification issued under the repealed Act regarding 
golden shake hand schem e or any other severance package  of employees or change of terms  and 
conditions of pension of retired employees dissolved Pakistan Medical and Dental Council hereby 
recalled and shall have no legal effect: 
  Provided that all such employees shall stand reinstated on such terms and conditions of their 
initial appointment. 
  (7) All assets, liabilities, payables and receivable of the dissolved Commission under the 
repealed Act shall be deemed to be the assets, liabilities, payables and receivables of the Council. 
  (8) All registration, recognitions etc., granted by the dissolved Pakistan Medical Commission 
under the repealed Act shall be deemed to be registrations, recognitions granted by the Council subject 
to not being in conflict with this Act and the provisions of this Act or the same being within the power 
of the Council to recognize and register pursuant to this Act. 
  52. Transitory provision. —Upon the commencement this Act, the Council shall be 
constituted within sixty days, however; during the transitory period of sixty days, Minister-in-charge 
of the Division concerned shall exercise the powers of the Council, subject to the condition that all his 
decisions shall be ratified by the Council constituted after transitory period. 
  
 
Page 27 of 36 
THE FIRST SCHEDULE 
(See sections 2(s), 21, 24, 33, 47(2)) 
RECOGNISED MEDICAL QUALIFICATIONS GRANTED BY MEDICAL 
INSTITUTIONS IN PAKISTAN. 
 
 Medical Institution. 
 
(1) 
Recognised Medical   
qualification 
 
Abbreviation for registration 
 
(1) (2) (3) 
University of the Punjab Licentiate in Medicine and  
Surgery 
 
 
L. M. S., Punjab. 
 Bachelor of Medicine M. B., Punjab. 
Bachelor of Medicine and  
Bachelor of Surgery 
 
M. B., B. S. 
(Punjab) 
Punjab State Medical Faculty Licentiate in Medicine and  
Surgery (when the holder of  
the qualification had passed the  
F.Sc. (Medical Group)  
examination of a recognized  
University before taking up  
medical studies 
L.M.S.  
(P.S.M.F.) 
University of Karachi Bachelor of Medicine and  
Bachelor of Surgery 
M.B.,B.S.,  
Karachi 
University of Sindh Bachelor of Medical and  
Bachelor of Surgery 
M.B.,B.S., Sindh 
University of Peshawar Bachelor of Medicine and  
Bachelor of Surgery 
 
M.B., B.S,  
Peshawar 
Fatima Jinnah, Medical 
 College Lahore 
Bachelor of Medicine and  
Bachelor of Surgery 
 
 
 
M.B.,B.S, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page 28 of 36 
THE SECOND SEHEDULE 
(See sections 2(u), 24, 25, 26, 33) 
RECOGNISED ADDITIONAL MEDICAL QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Medical Institution. Recognised Additional 
 Medical Qualification. 
Abbreviation 
 for Registration. 
(1) (2) (3) 
 
Part ‘A’ 
 
GRANTED BY MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS IN PAKISTAN. 
University of the 
 Punjab. 
Doctor of Medicine 
 
M.D. (Punjab). 
Master of Surgery M.S. (Punjab). 
Diploma in Public 
Health 
D.P.H. (Punjab). 
Diploma in 
Ophthalmology 
 
D.O. (Punjab). 
Diploma in Medical 
Radiology and 
Electralogy granted on  
or before the 14th  
October, 1959. 
 
D.M.R.E.  
(Punjab). 
Diploma in Tuberculosis 
and Chest Diseases  
granted in or after 1969. 
 
 
 
 
D.T.C.D.  
(Punjab). 
Diploma of Laryngology  
and Otology. 
 
D.L.O. (Punjab) 
Diploma in Medical Radiology 
(Diagnostic). 
D.M.R.D.  
(Punjab). 
 
Diploma in Medical Radiology 
(Therapeutics). 
D. M. R.T.  
(Punjab). 
Diploma in Maternal and Child Health. D.M.C.H.  
(Punjab). 
Diploma in Anaesthesia. D.A. (Punjab) 
Diploma in Clinical Pathology. D.C.P. (Punjab). 
 
D. G. O. (Punjab). 
 
D.C.H. (Punjab). 
 
Page 29 of 36 
Diploma in Gynaecology and Obstertrics.  
Diploma in Child Health 
University of Karachi Master of Philosophy  
(Anatomy). 
M. Phil  
Anatomy  
(Karachi). 
Master of Philosophy  
(Physiology). 
M. Phil  
Physiology  
(Karachi). 
Master of Philosophy  
(Pharmacology). 
M Phil  
Pharmacology 
(Karachi). 
Master of Philosophy  
(Pathology). 
M. Phil  
Pathology  
(Karachi). 
Master of Philosophy  
(Microbiology). 
M. Phil  
Microbiology  
(Karachi). 
 
Master of Philosophy  
(Bio-chemistry). 
M. Phil  
Bio-chemistry 
(Karachi). 
Doctor of Medicine M.D. (Karachi). 
Master of Surgery. M.S. (Karachi). 
College of Physicians 
and Surgeons of  
Pakistan. 
Fellow of the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons of Pakistan. 
F.C.P.S. (Pak.) 
Member of College of Physicians and 
and Surgeons of Pakistan. 
M.C.P.S. (Pak.) 
 
Khyber Medical University Peshawar: 
Khyber Girls Medical 
College, Peshawar 
Master of Philosophy  
(Anatomy). 
M. Phil.  
(Anatomy). 
Master of Philosophy  
(Physiology). 
M. Phil.  
Physiology 
Master of Philosophy  
(Bio-chemistry). 
M. Phil.  
Biochemistry 
 
Page 30 of 36 
Master of Philosophy  
(Pharmacology). 
M. Phil. 
(Pharmacology). 
Master of Philosophy  
(Chemical Pathology) 
M. Phil.  
(Pathology). 
Master of Philosophy  
(Hematology). 
M. Phil.  
(Hematology). 
Master of Philosophy  
(Microbiology). 
M. Phil. 
(Microbiology). 
Master of Philosophy  
(Histopathology). 
M. Phil. 
(Histopathology). 
Diploma in Medical  
Jurisprudence 
DMJ 
Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali  
Bhutto Medical  
University,  
Islamabad 
Doctor of Medicine  
Internal Medicine  
Doctor of Medicine  
Paediatric Medicine 
MD Internal  
Medicine 
MD Pediatric  
Medicine 
Doctor of Medicine  
Nephrology 
MD Nephrology 
Doctor of Medicine  
Critical Care Medicine 
MD Critical Care 
Medicine 
Doctor of Medicine  
Gastroenterology 
MD  
Gastroenterology 
Doctor of Medicine  
Dermatology 
MD Dermatology 
Master of Surgery  
General Surgery 
MS General  
Surgery 
Master of Surgery  
Urology 
MS Urology 
Master of Surgery  
Neurosurgery 
MS  
Neurosurgery 
Master of Surgery  
Orthopedic Surgery 
MS Orthopedic  
Surgery 
 
Page 31 of 36 
Master of Surgery  
Paediatric Surgery 
MS Paediatric  
Surgery 
Master of Surgery  
ENT 
MS ENT 
Master of Surgery  
Accident and  
Emergency 
MS Accident and 
Emergency 
Master of Surgery  
Plastic Surgery 
MS Plastic  
Surgery 
Master of Surgery  
Obstetrics and  
Gynecology 
MS Obstetrics  
and Gynecology 
 
Master of Philosophy  
Histopathology 
M. Phil  
Histopathology 
Master of Philosophy  
Chemical Pathology 
M. Phil  
Chemical Pathology 
Master of Philosophy  
Hematology 
M. Phil  
Hematology 
Master of Philosophy  
Pathology 
M. Phil  
(Pathology) 
Diploma in Clinical  
Pathology 
D.C.P 
Diploma in Obstetrics &  
Gynecology 
D.G.O 
Diploma in  
Anesthesiology 
D.A 
Diploma in Child Health D.C.H 
Diploma in Medical  
Radiology & Diagnostic 
D.M.R.D 
Master of Surgery in  
Burns Surgery 
M.S. Burns  
Surgery 
Master of Surgery in  
Ophthalmology 
M.S.  
Ophthalmology 
 
Page 32 of 36 
Doctor of Medicine  
Histopathology 
M.D.  
Histopathology 
Doctor of Medicine  
Neonatology 
M.D.  
Neonatology 
Part 'B' 
 
GRANTED BY MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS OUTSIDE PAKISTAN 
India: 
University of  
Bombay 
 
University of  
Calcutta 
Doctor of Medicine M.D. (Bombay). 
Master of Surgery  
Doctor of Medicine 
 
Master of Surgery 
Diploma in Public  
Health 
Master of Obstetrics 
M.S. (Bombay). 
M.D. (Calcutta). 
 
M.S. (Calcutta). 
D.P.H.  
(Calcutta). 
M.O. (Calcutta). 
University of  
Lucknow 
 
University of Madras 
Doctor of Medicine M.D (Lucknow). 
  
Master of Surgery M.S (Lucknow). 
Doctor of Medicine M.D (Madras) 
 
University of Patna 
Master of Surgery M.S (Madras). 
Doctor of Medicine M.D (Patna). 
 
Andhra University 
Master of Surgery M.S (Patna). 
Doctor of Medicine and  
Master of Surgery 
M.D., M.S.,  
(Andhra) 
United Kingdom Doctor of Philosophy  
(Basic Medical Subjects) 
Master of Science) 
Ph.D. 
  M.Sc 
(Basic Medical. Subjects)  
   
Post Graduate Diplomas D.A, D.A.P. & E,  
 D. Bact., D.C.H, 
D.C.M.T, D.C.P.  
D.I.H., D.L.O.,  
D.M.I., D.M.R.D., 
D.M.R.T.,  
D.M.S.A., (Edin),  
D.O. Hyg., D.O., 
D.Phys. Med.,  
D.P.M.,  
D.T.C.D.,  
D.T.P.H (Only when 
granted after training  
of atleast one  
academic year) 
 
 
Page 33 of 36 
Universities of: 
Birmingham, Bristol, 
Cambridge,  
Durham, Leeds,  
Liverpool, London,  
Manchester, Oxford,  
Shefield, Wales,  
Aberdeen,  
Edinburgh,  
Glassgow, Exerter,  
New Castle Upon  
Tyne, St. Andrews  
and Belfast 
Doctor of Medicine M.D 
Master of Surgery M.S. or M.Ch. 
Diploma in Public Health D.P.H 
Royal College of  
Physicians of London. 
Member, Fellow M.R.C.P,  
F.R.C.P.  
(London). 
Royal College of  
Surgeons of London. 
Fellow F.R.C.P.,  
(England) 
Royal College of  
Physicians of  
Edinburgh. 
Member, Fellow M.R.C.P., 
F.R.C.P.,(Edin). 
Royal College of  
Surgeons of Edinburgh. 
Fellow F.R.C.S. (Edin). 
Royal Faculty College of 
Physicians and  
Surgery of Glasgow. 
Fellow F.R.F.P.S  
(Glasgow). 
                                                       Diploma in Public 
Health D.P.H.(R.C.P.S.) England 
Royal College of 
Physicians and   
Surgeons, England 
Diploma in Public Health D.P.H.(R.C.P.S.) 
(England). 
Royal College of   
Physicians and Surgeons of 
Glasgow 
Member, Fellow,  
Honorary Fellow 
M.R.C.P. (Glasg.) 
F.R.C.P. (Glasg.) 
F.R.C.S. (Glasg.) 
Hon. F.R.C.P.S.  
(Glasg.) 
 Post-Graduate Diploma D.A., D.A.P. & E. 
D. Bat., D.C.H., 
D.C.M.T.,  
D.C.P., D.I.H.,  
 
Page 34 of 36 
D.L.O., D.M.J., 
DMR.D. 
D.M.R.T.  
D.M.S.A., (Edin)  
D.O.Hyg., D.O., 
D.Obst.  
R.C.O.G. D.P.H., 
D.Phys. Med.,  
D.P.M.,  
D.T.C.D.,  
D.T.P.H.  
 
(Only when granted 
after training of at  
least one academic 
year); 
 
Republic of Ireland: 
University of Dublin Doctor of Medicine M.D. 
National University  
of Ireland 
Master of Surgery M. Ch. 
Master of Obstetrics M.A.O. 
Royal College of  
Physicians of Ireland 
Member Fellow M.R.C.P.  
(Ireland).  
F.R.C.P.  
(lreland). 
Royal College of 
Surgeons in Ireland 
Fellow F.R.C.S.  
(Ireland). 
[Diploma in Obstetrics  
and Gynaecology 
 
D.G.O. 
United State of America: 
 
Indiana University 
 
Doctor of Philosophy 
 
Ph.D. (Basic  
Medical Subject). 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page 35 of 36 
THE THIRD SCHEDULE 
[See sections 2(t) and 18, 24, 29, 33, 47(2)]  
RECOGNISED DENTAL QUALIFICATIONS 
 
 Medical Institution. Recognised Dental 
    Qualification. 
  Abbreviations  
for Registration. 
         (1)           (2)               (3) 
 
University of the  
Punjab. 
 
Bachelor of Dental  
Surgery. 
 
B.D.S.  
(Punjab). 
Punjab State Medical  
Faculty. 
Licentiate in Dental  
Surgery. 
L.D.S. (PSMF). 
University of Sindh. Bachelor of Dental Surgery B.D.S (Sindh). 
University of  
Peshawar. 
Bachelor of Dental  
Surgery. 
B.D.S.  
(Peshawar). 
Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali  
Bhutto Medical 
University,  
Islamabad. 
Master of Dental  
Surgery Oral and  
Maxillofacial Surgery. 
MDS Oral and 
Maxillofacial  
Surgery. 
Master of Dental  
Surgery Paediatric  
Dentistry. 
MDS Paediatric 
Dentistry. 
THE FOURTH SCHEDULE 
(see sections 2(a) and 22,33,36,37)  
APPROVED HOSPITALS OR INSTITUTIONS 
 
S. No. Approved Hospitals or 
        Institutions 
Specialties/Department 
 
   (1)             (2)                (3) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page 36 of 36 
THE FIFTH SCHEDULE  
(see sections 2(e),22,24,27,33) 
CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY PROVIDERS IN 
PAKISTAN 
 
  S.No.      CPD Opportunity Provider 
   (1)                      (2) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE SIXTH SCHEDULE 
(see sections 2(za),24,28) 
SPECIALIST BOARDS 
 
   S.No. Specialist Boards Specialties/Department]. 
    (1) (2) (3) 
 
 
 
______________ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RGN Date: 05-09-2025