In a major move to facilitate the medical and dental professionals, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) on Thursday officially launched its licensing services in Lahore for the first time.

The newly operationalized facility is located at the PMDC Regional Office within the Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex. This digital initiative is aimed at streamlining the registration and licensing process for medical and dental graduates, specialists, and practitioners across Punjab.

The new system promises to reduce processing time, enhance transparency, and eliminate the need for practitioners to travel to Islamabad to resolve registrationrelated matters.

According to PMDC officials, the initiative will cover a wide range of services, including full registration, license renewals, issuance of Good Standing Certificates, provision of duplicates, and record updates. However, issues related to teaching and practical experience will continue to be handled at the central office.

Medical professionals experiencing difficulties in using the online portal will also be assisted by dedicated staff at the Lahore office. In an added convenience, original certificates will now be delivered via TCS courier service, while copies can also be obtained from the regional office.

President of PMDC, Prof Dr Rizwan Taj, hailed the development as a landmark step in decentralizing licensing services. ‘This is a step towards accelerating the licensing process through PMDC’s regional offices. By launching this initiative, we are empowering our doctors to begin their professional journeys without unnecessary delays,’ he stated.

He also confirmed that the Lahore launch is part of PhaseI of a broader nationwide rollout. PhaseII will extend services to Peshawar and Karachi, PhaseIII to Jamshoro and Balochistan, and PhaseIV to Multan. Medical and dental professionals can now visit the PMDC Lahore Regional Office for all licensing services and related queries.