Even though the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has fixed the maximum annual tuition fee at Rs 1.89 million for the 2025–26 academic year, many private medical and dental colleges are reportedly charging much higher amounts. According to parents and students, these institutions are asking for upfront payments ranging from Rs 2.5 million to Rs 3.5 million, which is far above the official limit.
Families in major cities say they are being given extremely short deadlines to deposit the fees, in some cases less than 24 hours. Parents claim they are told that if the payment is not made immediately, the student’s seat will be cancelled and offered to someone else. This has created panic and stress for families who struggle to arrange such large sums of money on short notice.
In addition to high tuition fees, colleges are also charging extra amounts under various heads that are not clearly regulated. These include fees for examinations, laboratory work, clinical training, information technology services, and graduation-related expenses. Over the course of five years, these additional charges can increase the total cost of education by around Rs 800,000 to Rs 1 million, adding a heavy financial burden on families.
Many parents allege that private colleges are openly ignoring PMDC rules and regulations. They say the lack of strict enforcement allows these institutions to demand excessive fees without fear of consequences. As a result, middle-class families are finding it increasingly difficult to afford medical and dental education for their children.
Parents and students have called on authorities to take immediate action to ensure that PMDC’s fee limits are followed. They stress that without proper oversight, the rising cost of private medical education will continue to put immense financial pressure on families and may prevent deserving students from pursuing careers in healthcare.
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