Private Medical College Fees: LHC Orders Refund Within 30 Days, PMDC Cap Upheld

Parents of medical students in Punjab have won a court battle that could return hundreds of thousands of rupees per family. The Lahore High Court has announced its verdict in the private medical colleges fee case, upholding the fee cap set by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and ordering colleges to refund or adjust excess fees within 30 working days. Reported on 7 November 2026, it sets a precedent that PMDC fee regulation is lawful and binding.

Medical education is among the most expensive in Pakistan: private colleges charge annual fees running into millions of rupees.

Why the Verdict Matters for Students and Parents

The judgment answers the central question in private medical education: can the regulator cap what a private college charges? The answer is yes.

• The fee cap is lawful: PMDC has the statutory authority to cap tuition fees.
• Education is not only a business: Medical education cannot be treated solely as a business.
• Real money comes back: Two named colleges must refund more than Rs 700,000 per student.
• A clear deadline: Colleges must refund excess fees within 30 working days from 30 October 2026, by 29 November 2026.
• Protection from retaliation: Retaliation against students could lead to contempt of court proceedings.
• A judicial precedent: The 28-page judgment is a precedent for future cases on medical college fees.

What the Lahore High Court Decided

Justice Khalid Ishaq delivered the 28-page judgment. The court dismissed three petitions by private medical institutions and allowed 12 connected petitions by students and parents. It upheld PMDC’s authority under the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council Act 2022, Sections 9, 20 and 47.

• Petitions dismissed: Three petitions by private medical institutions were rejected.
• Petitions allowed: Twelve connected petitions by students and parents were accepted.
• Legal basis: PMDC’s authority comes from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council Act 2022, Sections 9, 20 and 47.
• Constitutional question: The fee cap does not violate the Constitution.
• Retaliation warning: Retaliatory action against students could lead to contempt of court proceedings.

Refunds Ordered for Two Colleges

University Medical and Dental College Faisalabad (University of Faisalabad) recorded an income of Rs 5.099 billion in 2025 with a profit of Rs 378.659 million, and must refund Rs 841,317 per student against a ceiling of Rs 2,026,341. FMH College of Medicine and Dentistry Lahore recorded an income of Rs 1.867 billion in 2025 with a profit of Rs 111.941 million, and must refund Rs 741,802 per student against a ceiling of Rs 2,052,099.

Both colleges must refund or adjust excess fees by 29 November 2026 (Sunday). Students and parents should keep fee receipts and payment records ready to support any claim.

How the PMDC Fee Cap Developed

PMDC has revised its fee ceilings several times.

• 28 April 2025: PMDC set an annual fee cap of Rs 1.8 million.
• 2025 session: A 5% increase was allowed for the 2025 session.
• 6 October 2025: PMDC set Rs 1.89 million for 2025-26.
• 11 March 2026: PMDC issued revised category-wise fee ceilings.
• 7 November 2026: The Lahore High Court upheld the fee cap and ordered refunds.

Category-wise ceilings explain the different limits: Faisalabad Rs 2,026,341, FMH Lahore Rs 2,052,099.

What Students and Parents Should Do Now

Colleges must complete the refunds or adjustments by 29 November 2026, so families should not wait until the last day to raise the matter.

1. Confirm the college is covered: Check if your college is one of the two named.
2. Gather fee receipts: Collect fee receipts and payment records showing the excess paid.
3. Contact the college administration: Approach the college in writing and ask for the refund ordered.
4. Keep a written record: Keep copies of every letter, email and receipt as proof.
5. Watch the 29 November 2026 deadline: If the refund is not made within 30 working days from 30 October 2026, the court’s orders remain enforceable.
6. Check the official PMDC website: Confirm the current fee ceilings for your college category on the PMDC website.

Contact and Helpline Details

Conclusion

The Lahore High Court verdict is a clear win for students and parents. The court upheld the PMDC fee cap under the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council Act 2022, dismissed the colleges’ challenge, and ordered refunds of Rs 841,317 per student at University Medical and Dental College Faisalabad and Rs 741,802 per student at FMH College of Medicine and Dentistry Lahore, to be completed by 29 November 2026. Families at the affected colleges should gather their fee receipts and approach their college in writing.

FAQs

What did the Lahore High Court decide?
The court upheld PMDC’s authority to cap tuition fees under the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council Act 2022, dismissed three petitions by private institutions, allowed 12 petitions by students and parents, and ordered refunds within 30 working days.

How much refund will students get?
Students at University Medical and Dental College Faisalabad are to receive Rs 841,317 per student, and students at FMH College of Medicine and Dentistry Lahore Rs 741,802 per student.

What is the deadline for the fee refunds?
Colleges must refund or adjust excess fees within 30 working days from 30 October 2026, by 29 November 2026 (Sunday).

Can colleges take action against students who claim a refund?
The court warned that retaliatory action against students could lead to contempt of court proceedings.

What is the current PMDC fee cap?
PMDC set a cap of Rs 1.8 million in April 2025, allowed a 5% increase for the 2025 session, set Rs 1.89 million for 2025-26 in October 2025, and issued revised category-wise ceilings in March 2026. The exact ceiling depends on the college’s category.