In a setback for aspiring medical students, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has approved a 5% increase in tuition fees for private medical and dental colleges for the 2025–26 academic session.
Following the decision, the annual tuition fee has been fixed at Rs 1.89 million, a move expected to place a significant financial strain on students and families.
Starting from the 2026–27 session, private colleges will also gain the authority to independently adjust tuition fees in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and inflation rates, allowing yearly increases without prior PMDC approval.
The new policy, while aimed at addressing operational costs and inflationary pressures, has raised concerns over affordability and access to medical education in Pakistan.
Education experts warn that the measure could further limit opportunities for students from lower- and middle-income backgrounds, potentially widening the gap between public and private medical education.
