PMDC intensifies inquiry into Mirpurkhas medical student death

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has stepped up its investigation into recent cases involving the suicides of medical students, including the death of a third-year student at Muhammad Medical College in Mirpurkhas.

As part of the ongoing proceedings, PMDC President Prof Dr Rizwan Taj has formed a fact-finding committee to carry out a parallel inquiry into the case of Fahmeeda Laghari. The move is aimed at speeding up the process, ensuring an independent assessment and collecting detailed information related to the case.

The council also deputed a senior female officer to visit the bereaved family. The officer conveyed condolences on behalf of the PMDC and gathered firsthand information about the events leading up to the incident.

She also visited the student’s home and met family members to obtain a clearer picture of the circumstances surrounding the case. Her report has since been formally submitted and is currently under review as part of the ongoing proceedings.

Family’s account under review

According to the family’s version, the deceased had been under considerable stress in the days before the incident. The family alleged that this distress was linked to continuous harassment by certain individuals, including fellow students.

The PMDC’s latest action comes as it broadens scrutiny of recent medical student suicide cases. The parallel inquiry in the Mirpurkhas case is intended to support the council’s wider investigation while independently examining the circumstances described by the family.

The case concerns Fahmeeda Laghari, a third-year MBBS student at Muhammad Medical College, Mirpurkhas. The PMDC said the fact-finding process was being pursued to expedite proceedings and ensure that all relevant details are collected.

The officer’s visit to the family and the submission of her findings form part of the council’s ongoing review. The information gathered during the visit is now being examined in the course of the inquiry.

The PMDC has not publicly detailed the committee’s timeline in the report, but the council’s actions indicate that the matter remains under active consideration as part of its broader probe into medical student suicide cases.