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ARY NEWS

Jahangir Khan

  • Govt caps fees of private medical and dental colleges

    Govt caps fees of private medical and dental colleges

    ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan has set a cap on the annual tuition fees charged by private medical and dental colleges, ARY News reported on Thursday.

    After a review, a special committee on medical education, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, approved the recommendations regarding fee regulations.

    The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) Council had forwarded the recommendations regarding fee regulations to the special committee for review.

    The committee reached the consensus that the fee cap will be adjusted annually for inflation based on the Consumer Price Index. The committee discussed fee regulation and rationalization in private medical colleges, aiming to ensure fairness for students and viability for institutions.

    A maximum fee range of Rs1.8 million to Rs2.5 million has been set for the annual fees at all the private medical colleges.

    For private medical institutions currently charging less than this amount, fees will be capped at their existing level, with only an annual CPI-linked increase.

    Under this new regulation, these institutions can no longer charge more than Rs2.5 million annually.

    The decision was taken to control the exorbitant fees charged by these institutions, which can go up to Rs3.5 million per year. The government’s primary objective is to curb unchecked fee increases and ensure that quality education is made accessible to all.

    The PMDC, as the authorized body, will regulate annual fee increases based on inflation rates.

    This policy applies to all medical colleges, including the Aga Khan University.

    Speaking on the occasion, Ishaq Dar emphasized the government’s resolve to strengthen medical education through transparent policies, better training standards, and equitable opportunities for students and institutions alike, highlighting its key role in improving Pakistan’s healthcare sector.

    Read more: PMDC ‘bans’ fee collection by medical colleges

    In 2012, the PMDC capped annual fees for private medical colleges at Rs500,000 with a five per cent annual increase, but this regulation was disregarded by many institutions.

    It may be noted that in July last year, the PMDC approached the health ministry seeking its legal opinion to bring uniformity to the fee structure. However, even after almost six months, the issue of exorbitant fees was not be addressed.

  • PMDC ‘okays’ fee reduction plan for private medical and dental colleges

    PMDC ‘okays’ fee reduction plan for private medical and dental colleges

    ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) Council has approved recommendations regarding fee regulations for private medical and dental colleges, ARY News reported on Tuesday, citing sources.

    The recommendations have been forwarded to a special committee for review, while the final announcement will be made by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who is chairman of the special committee for medical education.

    According to the proposals shared by the sources, the minimum annual fee for private medical colleges is recommended at Rs1.8 million, while the maximum has been proposed at Rs2.5 million.

    Sources further revealed that, an earlier proposal suggesting annual fees between Rs1.2 to 1.5 million was rejected by private medical college representatives. Currently, private medical colleges are charging between Rs2.5 to 3.5 million annually, sources confirmed.

    Read more: PMDC ‘bans’ fee collection by medical colleges

    An annual fee increase of 5% has been suggested. 35% of beds in private medical college-affiliated teaching hospitals will be allocated for social welfare patients.

    Private medical colleges will be obligated to offer five scholarships annually, the proposals suggest.

    A flexible installment plan for underprivileged students has also been recommended.

    The sources said that representatives of private medical and dental colleges have agreed to these recommendations.

    In 2012, the PMDC capped annual fees for private medical colleges at Rs500,000 with a five per cent annual increase, but this regulation was disregarded by many institutions.

    It may be noted that in July last year, the PMDC approached the health ministry seeking its legal opinion to bring uniformity to the fee structure. However, even after almost six months, the issue of exorbitant fees could not be addressed.

  • Govt decides to ‘cap’ private medical colleges’ fee

    Govt decides to ‘cap’ private medical colleges’ fee

    ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan has decided to cap the fee of private medical and dental colleges, ARY News reported citing sources.

    According to sources, the decision was taken to control the exorbitant fees charged by these institutions, which can go up to Rs. 3.5 million per year.

    Sources revealed that a maximum limit will be set for the fees and the new fee structure will be lower than the current fees charged by private medical colleges.

    The government’s primary objective is to curb unchecked fee increases and ensure that quality education is made accessible to all.

    Consultations regarding the fee cap have been completed, and a final decision is expected soon.

    Earlier, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) banned the collection of fees by private medical and dental colleges.

    Read more: PMDC to upgrade its online portal soon

    As per details, the PMDC had sent a notice to the institutions to avoid collecting fees following a recommendation by the Senate Committee. The Senate’s Health Sub-Committee had advised the suspension of fee collection.

    A ban was imposed on fee collection until the Medical Education Committee submits its recommendations. This committee, headed by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, was formed by the Prime Minister to review the situation.

    In 2012, the PMDC capped annual fees for private medical colleges at Rs500,000 with a five per cent annual increase, but this regulation was disregarded by many institutions.

    It may be noted that in July last year, the PMDC approached the health ministry seeking its legal opinion to bring uniformity to the fee structure. However, even after almost six months, the issue of exorbitant fees could not be addressed.

  • Aurangzeb shares updates on salary, pension hike in FY2025-26 budget

    Aurangzeb shares updates on salary, pension hike in FY2025-26 budget

    ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Monday made an important announcement regarding salary and pension hike in the FY2025-26 budget, ARY News reported.

    In a written response to the National Assembly, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced that there is no proposal under consideration for salary or pension hike of government employees in the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26 budget.

    No revision of pay scales or allowances is being considered, he said and added that the increase in hiring and ceiling limits for employees is under review.

    The finance minister clarified that the government’s current focus is on controlling expenditures and stabilizing the economy.

    Read more: Govt notifies major reforms in pension policy

    Last year, the Ministry of Finance issued notifications regarding three key amendments to the pension rules.

    According to the notification, the family pension would now be limited to 10 years whereas if the pensioner dies, only legal heirs will be eligible to receive the pension transfer.

    The notification stated that the spouse of a deceased pensioner will continue to receive a pension for 10 years after their death. Furthermore, if a deceased pensioner’s child is disabled, they will be eligible to receive pension for life.

    The ministry has also announced measures to discourage early retirement, including a 3% deduction in pension for early retirement. This deduction will apply to the remaining service period up to 60 years.

    Currency Rates in Pakistan Today- پاکستان میں آج ڈالر کی قیمت

  • Pakistan govt to ‘ban’ registration of new medical & dental colleges

    Pakistan govt to ‘ban’ registration of new medical & dental colleges

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan government reportedly decided to ban registration of new medical and dental colleges by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), ARY News reported on Monday, citing sources. 

    Sources told ARY News that the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has decided to halt the registration of new medical and dental colleges following the government’s guidelines.

    The PMDC has officially approved this decision, and no applications for registration submitted after January 5 will be considered. However, 13 applications submitted before January 5 are currently under review, the sources said.

    The decision to impose the ban was made due to the shortage of faculty in medical colleges. Currently, there are 121 private and 66 public medical and dental colleges in the country.

    Read more: PMDC to ‘inspect’ medical and dental colleges across Pakistan

    Last month, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) reportedly banned the collection of fees by private medical and dental colleges.

    The PMDC sent a notice to the institutions to avoid collecting fees following a recommendation by the Senate Committee. The Senate’s Health Sub-Committee had advised the suspension of fee collection.

    A ban was imposed on fee collection until the Medical Education Committee submits its recommendations. This committee, headed by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, was formed by the Prime Minister to review the situation.

    The committee evaluating the standards and issues faced by private medical universities and colleges. Over the past five years, private medical colleges have been collecting over Rs15 million in fees, the sources said.

  • PPP criticizes the Federal government’s policy for alternative energy

    PPP criticizes the Federal government’s policy for alternative energy

    Shazia Marri, the spokesperson for the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), has strongly criticized the federal government’s newly introduced policy for alternative energy. ARY News reported on Saturday.

    Shazia Marri, the party’s absolute rejection of the policy for alternative energy, quoting its harmful impact on solar energy consumers and Pakistan’s renewable energy future.

    Shazia Marri condemned the government’s amendments to net metering regulations, which now compel solar energy users to sell electricity at a significantly reduced rate of 10 rupees per unit, compared to the previous rate of 27 rupees per unit.

    She described this change as a direct assault on alternative energy consumers and a betrayal of the nation’s green energy ambitions. Furthermore, consumers are forced to purchase electricity from the national grid at exorbitant rates exceeding 65 rupees per unit, a move that discourages the adoption of renewable energy.

    Highlighting the 550% price disparity, Shazia Marri labeled the policy as economically unfair and unjust. Shazia Marri accused the federal government of perpetuating corruption, inefficiency, and the influence of mafias within the power sector.

    Read more: Free solar panel: Sindh energy minister reveals more details

    Shazia Marri also dismissed claims that net metering imposes a mere 90 paise per unit burden on consumers, arguing that the real financial strain stems from “idle capacity payments” and an annual loss of Rs 600 billion due to power theft and unpaid bills.

    Marri emphasized that, instead of addressing these critical issues, the government is punishing individuals and businesses striving for energy independence. She warned that this policy for alternative energy could overcome Pakistan’s solar energy sector, making solar power economically unviable for both residential and commercial users.

    Additionally, she noted that the policy would deter local and foreign investments in renewable energy, further entrenching reliance on outdated and inefficient power grids. This would force consumers to pay inflated electricity rates while diminishing opportunities for green energy development.

    Concluding her statement, Marri described the federal government’s actions as a direct attack on Pakistan’s energy and economic sovereignty. She demanded the immediate withdrawal of the policy and called for legal action against those responsible. The PPP, she declared, is prepared to challenge the policy through judicial, political, and public avenues if necessary.

  • Karachi warehouse seized drugs declared fake, illegal

    Karachi warehouse seized drugs declared fake, illegal

    KARACHI: The Central Drug Testing Lab (CDTL) Karachi has confirmed that the seized medicines from the Karachi warehouse are fake and illegal, ARY News reported on Sunday, citing sources.

    According to sources, the recovered medicines from Karachi’s Korangi warehouse were not registered with the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), and their packaging lacked manufacturer details.

    On February 26, customs officials seized medicines worth Rs. 10 billion from a warehouse in Korangi. The confiscated stock included painkillers and capsules from seven different brands.

    DRAP sources revealed that the seized medicines were of Indian origin. Further investigations are underway.

    Read more: Sale of fake medicines uncovered across Sindh

    Earlier, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Corruption Circle Islamabad conducted a crackdown against elements and arrested two individuals involved in the sale of fake and unregistered medicines.

    According to FIA spokesperson, a suspect, Mazhar Qeebbal, allegedly involved in the sale of fake and unregistered medicines from a medical store situated in the Diplomatic Enclave Islamabad has been arrested.

    The spokesperson stated that this arrest follows the recent detention of two suspects from the same medical store last week.

    During that raid, counterfeit and unregistered drugs were seized by FIA officials.

  • Tharparkar to ‘get’ new 200-bed hospital

    Tharparkar to ‘get’ new 200-bed hospital

    ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to construct a 200-bed hospital in Tharparkar, a desert district of Sindh, sources told ARY News on Wednesday.

    Tharparkar district is one of the twenty-nine districts of Sindh. It is largest district of Sindh province by land area. The livelihood of Thari people depends on rainfall agriculture.

    The Ministry of National Health has formally communicated the decision to the Sindh chief secretary through an official letter.

    The initiative follows Prime Minister’s 2023 visit to Thar, during which he announced the hospital’s construction. The federal government has now urged Sindh authorities to expedite the process and provide a suitable land for the project.

    According to the letter, the Sindh government has been asked to conduct a feasibility study and prepare a PC-2 report. Additionally, Sindh authorities must share cost estimates and construction timelines for the project.

    Read more: Bilawal announces train service for people of Tharparkar

    Once completed, the federal government will hand over the hospital to the Sindh government for operations. However, hiring of staff for the Tharparkar Federal Government Hospital will be carried out by the Sindh government.

    The estimated cost of construction is expected to exceed Rs1.5 billion, and the federal government aims to initiate work on the project within this year, sources added.

    Separately, the Sindh Government launched the Thar Desert Train Safari, an initiative aimed at promoting tourism and highlighting the cultural richness of the region.

    The train is operating from Karachi to Chhore near Pakistan’s border with India, passing through Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas, offering passengers a glimpse of Sindh’s vibrant culture and stunning desert landscapes.

  • Poliovirus ‘detected’ in Azad Kashmir’s sewage

    Poliovirus ‘detected’ in Azad Kashmir’s sewage

    The presence of the poliovirus has been confirmed in environmental sewage samples from Azad Kashmir, ARY News reported on Sunday, citing sources.

    According to reports, poliovirus traces were found in sewage samples from 21 districts across the country. With this latest detection, the total number of positive polio sewage samples in 2025 has risen to 47.

    Health authorities have identified the presence of Wild Polio Virus Type 1 (WPV1) in these environmental samples, which were collected between January 8 and January 23 from various sewage lines.

    The detection of poliovirus in sewage samples from AJK, marks the second second detection of the virus in 2025, sources revealed.

    The sources further revealed that eight districts of Balochistan, including Dera Bugti, Hub, Khuzdar, Nushki, Naseerabad, Osta Muhammad, Zhob, and Lasbela have tested positive for poliovirus in sewage.

    Sewage was also founded infected with poliovirus in six districts of Punjab, including Lahore, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Jhang, Multan, and Rahim Yar Khan.

    Poliovirus was also detected in four districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, Charsadda, Swabi, and Tank, Karachi East district of Sindh, Islamabad, and AJK’s Muzaffarabad.

    Read more: PM Shehbaz launches anti-polio drive for year 2025

    So far in 2025, one confirmed case of polio virus infection has been reported in the country.

    On February 2, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif launched a nationwide anti-polio campaign for the year 2025 by administering polio drops to children under five.

    Addressing the launching ceremony, PM Shehbaz reaffirmed his government’s commitment to eliminate the polio disease from Pakistan.

    He said that millions of children nationwide will be the focus of the national polio vaccine campaign, which aims to protect their health and future.

  • DRAP issues warning against THESE skin brightening injections

    DRAP issues warning against THESE skin brightening injections

    ISLAMABAD: The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has issued a warning about counterfeit skin brightening injections, ARY News reported.

    According to DRAP, Laroscorbine Platinum Injections are believed to brighten the skin and maintain skin elasticity, but the administration of counterfeit products can result in treatment failure, worsening of the disease, or life-threatening consequences.

    According to DRAP, the counterfeit injections are being supplied across the country. The authority has directed its field force to confiscate the counterfeit product and has advised pharmacists, chemists, and healthcare professionals to immediately check their stocks and stop supplying the mentioned products.

    The use of counterfeit Laroscorbine Platinum Injections can cause serious health problems, including skin damage. DRAP has warned that the counterfeit injections can be life-threatening and has advised consumers to report any adverse events or quality problems to the National or Provincial pharmacovigilance centers.

    Rapid-alert_Counterfeit-Laroscorbine-Inj.

    The authority has also directed provincial governments to investigate the supply chain of the counterfeit injections. Consumers in possession of the mentioned batches are advised to immediately report to DRAP and contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems.