ISLAMABAD: The presidential ordinance that had dissolved the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and paved the way for the establishment of the Pakistan Medial Commission (PMC) was challenged in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday.
The petition, reminding the court that the PMDC was dissolved on Oct 21, sought a court order to revoke the presidential ordinance and restoration of the body’s employees on their positions.
The petitioner also requested the court to bar the government from taking any action against the PMDC employees.
Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, who heard the petition, issued notices to the secretary to the president, secretaries of the Ministry of Law and the Cabinet Division seeking their response over the matter.
In addition, the court also issued orders for payment of salaries to employees of the PMDC.
Subsequently, further hearing was adjourned until Nov 8.
PMDC, the regulatory authority that oversaw medical and dental colleges in Pakistan, was dissolved on Oct 21 paving way for PMC. According to the notification issued at the time, the PMC will be run by a nine-member body and the head of the commission would be called the president.
Moreover, the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) through the Islamabad district administration and police had taken over the possession of the PMDC building and directed 220 employees of the council that the office will remain shut for one week.