PHC wraps up case relating to exorbitant fees charged by medical colleges
- By Web Desk -
- Mar 27, 2019
PESHAWAR: The court wrapped up the exorbitant fees’ case as Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) director ensured to adjust additionally charge amount received by students in different medical colleges.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Mr Ikramullah Khan and Justice Ms Mussarat Hilali heard the case relating to extra fees charged by the medical colleges.
The high court on Wednesday expressed anger over the administration of medical colleges for charging additional fees beyond the limits set up by the Supreme Court (SC), ARY News reported.
Justice Ikramullah Khan observed that the colleges were charging hefty fees from the medical students despite directives given by the top court.
Read More: Supreme Court fixes unified admission fee for private medical colleges
He remarks, “Why additional fee is being charged from a specified limit?”
“Are medical colleges not bound to follow court orders?”
“Under which law, the colleges are receiving Rs1.4 million fee [from the students] instead of Rs1 million set by the Supreme Court?” the judge questioned.
Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) director apprised the high court that the management was amending some regulations [to implement new fee structure] which would be in line with SC’s directives.
The official said that the council will ensure implementation of new fee structure from next year. He added that the additional amount which was charged from the medical students will be adjusted in next year.
Read More: CJP bars private medical colleges from receiving donations as ‘extra fees’
The court wrapped up the case after ordering PMDC management to resolve all fee-related issues of medical students. PHC also directed to adjust the female students, who petitioned the case, in Abbottabad International College’s Dental Sector.
On January 6 last year, then Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar had issued an order fixing Rs640,000 as the fee for admission to all private nedical colleges in the country.
The former CJP was hearing a suo moto notice of the exorbitant fees charged by private medical colleges and the lack of a uniform admission policy at Supreme Court’s Lahore registry when he passed the directives.
On the occasion, private medical colleges’ owners and chief executive officers (CEOs), besides Attorney General of Pakistan were present in the courtroom.
He also passed directives for the formation of a constitutional committee to scrutinize the constitutional implications at the medical colleges.