Massive corruption and serious irregularities have been exposed in the approval process of Bahawalpur Medical College, as revealed by a joint inquiry conducted by the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission and the Intelligence Bureau. This inquiry was initiated following directives from the federal cabinet to investigate the unauthorized and expedited recognition of the medical college. The findings suggest a complete disregard for legal procedures and have pointed fingers at key figures in the former Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC), whose negligence and misconduct are said to have compromised the credibility of medical education in the country and jeopardized the future of aspiring medical students.
The report highlights that the then PMC was functioning under the unregulated authority of a single individual, the Vice President Ali Raza, who reportedly issued verbal instructions to subordinate staff, creating a chaotic and unethical working environment. This mismanagement led to resignations within the organization, as staff found themselves unable to work under such conditions. The report specifically names former PMC President Dr. Arshad Taqi and several other members including Dr. Romina Hassan, Dr. Asif Loya, Dr. Anisur Rehman, Tariq Ahmed Khan, and Roshane Zafar as directly or indirectly responsible for the misconduct. Other implicated individuals include Executive Member Dr. Shaista Zeeshan, Member Education Dr. Syed Moin Ali, and Council Secretary Dawar Adnan Shams.
The commission has urged swift action against those responsible and recommended that the matter be handed over to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for further investigation and prosecution. Additionally, the report underscores the urgent need to reform the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and restructure it to meet international standards. A high-level expert committee has been proposed to evaluate and inspect private medical colleges across the country to ensure they are capable of producing competent medical professionals.
Further scrutiny of the situation by the Intelligence Bureau has confirmed that the approval of Bahawalpur Medical College was not only unlawful but also tainted with bribery and manipulation. The Bureau reported that the inspection process was grossly compromised; instead of a standard eight-member inspection team, only two individuals were assigned, and no formal inspection was carried out. The approval papers were simply signed off, allegedly after significant bribes were paid to key officials. This fraudulent activity came to light following internal disputes among investors in the college, one of whom lodged a formal complaint.
The role of Deputy Director Legal Saira Rabab Nasir has come under particular scrutiny, with the Intelligence Bureau reporting that she actively engaged in corrupt practices and received illicit financial benefits from the college administration. Her personal assistant Zubair Bhutto and Verification Officer Subghatullah were also implicated. A comprehensive list of PMDC staff with suspicious roles has been included in the report, highlighting the depth of corruption within the organization. These include Deputy Registrar Dr. Azhar Ali Shah, Deputy Director Dilpazir, Admin Officer Habibur Rehman, Legal Officer Fasil Baig, Superintendent Mushtaq Ahmed, Zubair Bhutto, Superintendent Jamshed Khan, Superintendent Zahid Khan, and Assistant Zahid Mahmood, among others.
The findings have prompted strong recommendations for a complete overhaul of the PMDC’s administrative structure. The goal is not only to bring the guilty to justice but also to restore public trust in Pakistan’s medical education regulatory system. The cancellation of Bahawalpur Medical College’s recognition, approved by the federal cabinet on July 10, 2024, marks a critical first step in addressing the corruption scandal, but the broader reform agenda remains a pressing necessity.
