PMDC letter set aside for not recognising Dow Dental College

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday set aside the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council’s (PMDC) letter with regard to the non-recognition of the dental college of the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS).

The DUHS and the Dow Dental College had challenged the PMDC’s decision in which it endorsed the decision of the executive committee for not recommending the recognition of the dental college after finding deficiencies during the inspection of the college.

The petitioner’s counsel questioned the deficiencies pointed out by the PMDC’s inspection team and submitted that the petitioner can demonstrate the fulfilment of all the requirements to the inspection team, but the impugned letter of the council to not recommend the college’s recognition was unlawful.

The SHC’s division bench headed by Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar set aside the PMDC’s letter, but directed the Dow Dental College to reapply to the council for inspection within three months.

The court said the PMDC will conduct the inspection in accordance with the law and in due consideration of the petitioner’s submission, adding that in the event that the petitioner fails in the prescribed requirements, the dental college will have to refund the fees of all the students.

The court also directed the petitioner to submit an affidavit undertaking that in case they fail to fulfil the requirements of the PMDC laws and regulations, it shall return the fees to all the students.

‘Police connivance’

The SHC directed a petitioner to file an affidavit with evidence regarding the sale of seized Gutka and Mainpuri with the connivance of the police.

Petitioner Muzammil Mumtaz Meo had filed a petition in the court against the sale and manufacture of Gutka and Mainpuri in different districts of the province.

Filing a compliance report, the Korangi SSP said the police were taking action against the manufacturers and sellers of Gutka and Mainpuri as well as following up on the cases.

He said that 920 cases have been registered since 2013 against the manufacturers and sellers of Gutka and Mainpuri and 1,338 of them have been arrested.

He added that 848 cases were challaned, 441 people were convicted and 56 were acquitted.

The officer said that 351 cases were pending in trial courts and 72 were being investigated.

The petitioner’s counsel said that after obtaining bail from the trial courts, the accused managed to get their seized Gutka and Mainpuri back from the police to resume their businesses.

The court directed the counsel to file an affidavit with evidence regarding the sale of seized Gutka and Mainpuri and adjourned the hearing until March 26.