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The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has issued an advisory for Pakistani students pursuing or planning to pursue medical and dental education in Afghanistan, warning that graduates from Afghan institutions will not be eligible to practise medicine in Pakistan. According to the advisory, medical and dental graduates from Afghanistan will not be able to obtain registration with the PMDC, making them ineligible to work as licensed healthcare professionals in the country. The council stated that medical institutions in Afghanistan are not included in the recognised list of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). As a result, graduates from these institutions will also be barred from appearing in Pakistan’s National Registration Examination (NRE), a mandatory requirement for obtaining a medical licence. PMDC advised Pakistani students to carefully verify whether a foreign medical institution is recognised by the ECFMG before seeking admission. The council stressed that enrolling in an unrecognised institution could prevent graduates from securing professional registration and practising medicine in Pakistan. The advisory aims to help students make informed decisions about pursuing medical education abroad and to avoid academic and professional complications after graduation. PMDC urged aspiring medical students to ensure that any foreign institution they choose meets internationally recognised accreditation standards before finalising their admissions.

The government has introduced a four-year Hajj policy covering arrangements from 2027 to 2030. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf presented the policy on Wednesday. He described it as a major step toward improving and modernising Hajj arrangements in Pakistan. Speaking at a briefing, the minister said this was the first time the government had introduced a four-year Hajj policy. He said the initiative would provide a long-term framework for organising the pilgrimage. Yousaf said the policy had been prepared under the guidance of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. It focuses on technology, transparency and improved services for pilgrims. According to the minister, the new framework aims to bring Pakistan’s Hajj arrangements closer to international standards. It will also introduce several new facilities for pilgrims. For the first time, applicants will have access to a registration and waiting-list system. The government expects the system to make the process more organised and transparent. The minister said the government and private Hajj schemes would retain their existing quota division. Sixty per cent of the quota will remain with the government scheme, while private operators will receive 40 per cent. The Ministry of Religious Affairs will continue to oversee and regulate Hajj arrangements. It will also monitor the performance of private Hajj companies. Under the new policy, applicants will be able to enter the pilgrims’ list after paying 10 per cent of the required amount. The government has also planned greater transparency in procurement. Purchases made in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will be carried out through transparent procedures. Yousaf said any money remaining after meeting the required expenses would be returned to the pilgrims. The measure is aimed at improving financial transparency and protecting the interests of Hajj applicants. The government also plans to change the way private Hajj companies are monitored. Their registration and oversight will not depend only on the quota allocated to them. Instead, their performance will be an important factor in determining their registration and continued participation in the Hajj programme. A digital complaint-resolution system is also being introduced. Pilgrims will be able to submit complaints and seek quick action through the new system. An appeal mechanism will also be established. This will provide pilgrims with another channel to challenge decisions or seek resolution of their complaints. The minister said the government would also improve training programmes for Hajj pilgrims. The aim is to prepare pilgrims more effectively before their departure for Saudi Arabia. The Hajj Muhafiz Scheme will continue under the new policy. The government considers the scheme an important part of its arrangements for pilgrims. Yousaf said the new policy had been developed in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The framework is intended to improve coordination and service delivery during the pilgrimage. The minister said the government’s objective was not limited to managing logistical arrangements. It also wanted to ensure that Pakistani pilgrims received a dignified and comfortable Hajj experience. The estimated cost of the government Hajj package is expected to remain between Rs1.2 million and Rs1.3 million. However, the final cost may depend on various arrangements and expenses associated with the pilgrimage. Yousaf also clarified that any increase or decrease in Pakistan’s Hajj quota would require a decision from the federal cabinet. He said Pakistan had received recognition and awards for its Hajj arrangements in the past. The government now wants to further improve the system through long-term planning and greater use of technology. The four-year policy is expected to provide greater continuity in Hajj preparations. Officials believe the long-term framework will also make planning easier for both the government and pilgrims.

The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has fixed July 29 for hearing two important petitions linked to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan. The hearings come at a time when PTI is preparing to launch a nationwide campaign demanding the release of its founding chairman. A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan will hear a petition challenging the proposed formation of what has been described as the “Imran Khan Release Force.” On the same day, the bench will also hear another petition concerning the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s decision to withdraw selected criminal cases related to the May 9, 2023 violence. The first constitutional petition argues that the formation or mobilisation of any organisation under the title of the “Imran Khan Release Force” would be unconstitutional and contrary to Pakistani law. The petitioner has requested the court to declare such an organisation illegal, arguing that private forces or militias are prohibited under the Constitution and relevant legislation. The petition also states that citizens and public office holders are constitutionally bound to remain loyal to the state and act within the framework of the law. It argues that any attempt to organise a private force would violate constitutional principles and existing legal provisions. The issue first came before the court after public statements were made earlier this year regarding the creation of a movement aimed at securing Imran Khan’s release. At that time, the court sought a response from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister. The matter has now been scheduled for detailed hearing after several months. However, some legal experts have disputed the interpretation presented in the petition. They argue that the term “Release Force” refers to a political campaign or public movement seeking Imran Khan’s release rather than the creation of any armed organisation. According to their view, there is no proposal to establish a private militia, and the movement has no official connection with the provincial government. The same bench will also hear a petition filed by the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) concerning the attack on Radio Pakistan Peshawar during the May 9 unrest. The petition requests that the criminal case be transferred from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad or another province to ensure an impartial trial. The petitioner argues that political influence and executive interference could affect the fairness of judicial proceedings if the case continues within the province. Earlier, the Federal Constitutional Court issued an interim order preventing the withdrawal of certain May 9-related cases while the matter remains under consideration. Officials from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Law Department have questioned that interim order. They maintain that the provincial government had not yet filed any formal application before the anti-terrorism court seeking withdrawal of cases. According to provincial authorities, the cabinet had only approved the withdrawal of cases considered politically motivated or those lacking sufficient evidence. Provincial officials have stated that 23 out of 29 terrorism-related cases linked to the May 9 incidents have already been decided. They also said that 285 of the 319 cases registered in ordinary courts have been concluded, while the remaining cases are still under trial.