The recent revelations by the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission and the Intelligence Bureau have brought to light a major scandal involving the illegal and irregular approval of Bahawalpur Medical College. According to a detailed investigation initiated by the federal cabinet, massive corruption and gross negligence were discovered in the operations of the former Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC). The approval of the college was found to be in violation of established laws and procedures, endangering not only the future of students but also the integrity of medical education in the country.
The inquiry was prompted by the Ministry of Health and conducted jointly by the PM’s Inspection Commission and the Intelligence Bureau. The findings paint a disturbing picture of how the college was granted recognition without fulfilling the mandatory requirements. A proper inspection process, which normally involves an eight-member team, was replaced by a token inspection by only two individuals. These individuals reportedly signed the approval documents without conducting any formal assessment, which was a serious breach of duty and a clear sign of collusion.
The central figure implicated in the scandal is the then Vice President of PMC, Ali Raza, who allegedly accepted a large bribe to expedite the illegal approval. The report indicates that the PMC at that time was being run in an autocratic manner, with decisions being made unilaterally by Ali Raza and orders being issued verbally. This led to widespread discontent among staff, many of whom resigned due to ethical concerns. The Intelligence Bureau further revealed that the college lacked necessary documentation and failed to meet the regulatory standards required for medical institutions. The approval process was initiated and completed without proper scrutiny, and the internal conflict between the investors of the college reportedly triggered the exposure of the corruption.
The report does not stop at Ali Raza. Several other key figures of the PMC have also been named as responsible for the scandal. These include former President Dr. Arshad Taqi and other members such as Dr. Romina Hassan, Dr. Asif Loya, Dr. Anisur Rehman, Tariq Ahmed Khan, Roshane Zafar, Dr. Shaista Zeeshan, Dr. Syed Moin Ali, and Secretary Council Dawar Adnan Shams. Furthermore, the report lists numerous PMDC officers whose roles in the corruption are under serious suspicion. Among them are Deputy Registrar Dr. Azhar Ali Shah, Deputy Director Legal Saira Rabab Nasir, Verification Officer Subggatullah, and Personal Assistant Zubair Bhutto, among others. The Intelligence Bureau accuses Saira Rabab of taking financial benefits from the college’s administration and playing a crucial part in the fraudulent approval.
In response to these revelations, the inspection commission has recommended that the matter be urgently referred to the Federal Investigation Agency for criminal proceedings. It has also urged a complete restructuring of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council to ensure transparency and uphold international standards in medical education. The federal cabinet had already cancelled the recognition of Bahawalpur Medical College in a meeting held on July 10, 2024. As the scandal continues to unfold, the demand for accountability grows louder, and the future of regulatory governance in Pakistan’s medical education sector hangs in the balance.
