DLP Report
PESHAWAR
The Pakistan Microbiology, Biotechnology and Biochemistry Association on Tuesday claimed that the sudden suspension of licences by the Allied Health Professional Council had rendered more than 25,000 graduates across the country unemployed and put the future of students enrolled in these disciplines at risk.
Speaking at a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club (PPC), association President Dr Muhammad Salman Amazai, accompanied by Dr Khalid Amin, Dr Sidra Farooq, Dr Hafeezullah and Dr Amjad Khan Afridi, said the council had been issuing licences to graduates of microbiology, biochemistry and biotechnology before abruptly stopping the process in September 2025.
He said the decision was taken because these fields did not have representation in the council, adding that the move had affected thousands of graduates who were now unable to continue their professional careers.
Dr Amazai claimed that universities across the country, including those in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, had also received notices following the council’s decision, resulting in the removal of experts from these departments and the closure of some programmes.
He said the association had approached Federal Health Minister Dr Mustafa Kamal, who had directed the Allied Health Professional Council to reconsider the decision, but the instructions had not been implemented.
He added that experts working or seeking employment abroad were also facing difficulties as they were unable to renew their professional licences.
Dr Amazai appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, the federal health minister and Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Niaz Ahmad to intervene and ensure the issuance of licences to protect the future of more than 25,000 graduates.
He also demanded that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government allocate specific quota seats for microbiology, biochemistry and biotechnology experts in the provincial health sector and provide them opportunities for recruitment through the Public Service Commission.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Khalid Amin criticised the situation, saying that teachers who had trained students in medical technology were now facing unemployment due to regulatory decisions.
He gave the federal and provincial governments a 15-day deadline to resolve the issue, warning that the association would approach the Supreme Court of Pakistan if their demands were not addressed.
