Islamabad, July 9, 2025: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has announced the return of the National Licensing Examination (NLE) for all MBBS and BDS graduates from both public and private institutions across the country.
Speaking before the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, PMDC President Dr. Rizwan Taj called the previous decision to abolish the NLE “unfortunate” and inconsistent with international standards. The licensing exam is expected to be formally approved at the PMDC Council meeting on July 27.
“No medical graduate—local or foreign—will be permitted to practice in Pakistan without passing the NLE,” said Dr. Taj.
Lawmakers highlighted growing concerns over thousands of Pakistani students seeking medical education abroad due to limited local seats. Senator Hilal-ur-Rehman Mohmand emphasized the heavy financial burden on families, with some paying up to Rs. 7.5 million per year for substandard overseas programs.
Health Minister Dr. Mustafa Kamal shared that the country loses nearly $400 million annually in foreign exchange, while many foreign-trained doctors fail the NLE upon return.
The committee also raised red flags about unpaid house jobs, and the unchecked rise of unregulated private medical colleges, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, urging for stricter regulation and monitoring.
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The reintroduction of the NLE is seen as a critical move to uplift medical education standards and ensure only qualified professionals enter the healthcare system.
