Students from several medical colleges in Lahore have staged a protest against the recent hike in fees and what they describe as unfair policies imposed by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC). The demonstration, which took place in the heart of the city, saw participation from students of King Edward Medical University, Allama Iqbal Medical University, Fatima Jinnah Medical College, and the University of Health Sciences.
The students are raising their voices against the increased tuition fees, which they believe are unaffordable for many of them. They are also calling for changes to policies regarding the minimum passing marks and attendance requirements, which they argue have become increasingly difficult to meet. The protestors are demanding that the fee hike be reversed and that the passing marks for exams be reduced to 50 percent, a level they believe is more reasonable.
Additionally, the students are requesting a return to the previous attendance policy, which required students to maintain at least 75 percent attendance in their classes. The new regulations, they argue, have created additional pressure on them, making it harder to balance academics with personal commitments. The protest has garnered attention from both students and political leaders alike.
Hassan Bilal Hashmi, the Nazim-e-Ala of the Islami Jamiat Tulba Pakistan, and Abdullah Bin Abbas, the Nazim-e-Lahore, also joined the protest in solidarity with the students. Both leaders expressed support for the students’ demands, emphasizing that these issues have become a matter of concern for the future of medical education in Pakistan.
The protestors are calling on the PM&DC to address their concerns urgently. They warn that if their demands are not met, they will continue to raise their voices through further protests and actions. The students are hopeful that their collective efforts will lead to changes in policies that they believe will improve the quality of medical education in the country.