ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council (PNMC) has approved the registration of 55 nursing colleges following its reconstitution, while four previously unregistered institutions have also been granted registration after paying substantial penalties, officials said.
The decision was announced during a press conference at the council’s headquarters in Islamabad, where Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal outlined ongoing reforms aimed at improving governance and transparency within the nursing education sector.
According to officials, the registration of four previously unregistered colleges was approved in consideration of students already enrolled in those institutions, with the aim of protecting their academic futures.
Government highlights nursing shortage
Speaking at the briefing, Mustafa Kamal said Pakistan faces a significant shortage of nursing professionals and requires a substantial increase in its nursing workforce to meet healthcare demands.
He noted that global demand for nurses remains high and emphasized the importance of strengthening nursing education and training capacity across the country.
The minister also said that 425 college applications are currently awaiting inspection and review by the council.
Corruption allegations and governance reforms
Mustafa Kamal alleged that irregularities and corruption had affected the functioning of the council in previous years. He claimed that inspection and approval processes had remained stalled, creating obstacles for institutions seeking registration.
According to the minister, the government introduced an ordinance to reform the council’s structure and improve accountability. Under the revised framework, the council’s president will be a Grade-22 officer, while a new 19-member council has been established to oversee its affairs.
He added that legal protections exist for decisions taken under the ordinance, even if the legislation later expires.
New approvals and digital reforms
Officials said that no nursing colleges had been registered after March 2025 before the new council began functioning.
The newly constituted council reviewed 63 applications and approved 55 institutions on a priority basis, according to the minister.
Mustafa Kamal also announced plans to introduce a digital system designed to improve transparency and reduce opportunities for irregularities in registration and inspection processes.
He urged parents and students to verify the registration status of nursing institutions before seeking admission, warning that enrollment in unregistered colleges could jeopardize students’ academic and professional prospects.
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