The Sindh High Court has issued notices to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and other relevant parties in response to a petition filed by Dr. Sarah Gill, Pakistan’s first transgender doctor, over the non-issuance of her medical registration and practicing license.
During the hearing, Dr. Gill’s counsel informed the court that she had completed her MBBS degree from Jinnah Medical and Dental College (JMDC) in 2021. The counsel added that JMDC has since been upgraded to a full-fledged university, previously affiliated with the University of Karachi.
According to the petition, the new university administration claims it no longer has access to the PMDC online portal used to update students’ academic records, as the affiliation has shifted. The PMDC, on the other hand, maintains that updating student data and credentials is the university’s responsibility.
The court was told that due to this institutional dispute, Dr. Sarah Gill’s registration and medical license have been delayed indefinitely, preventing her from practicing as a certified medical professional.
After hearing the arguments, the Sindh High Court issued notices to the PMDC and other respondents, directing them to submit their replies by November 7.
The case highlights the bureaucratic challenges faced by graduates amid institutional transitions, as well as the ongoing struggle for professional recognition faced by members of the transgender community in Pakistan’s healthcare sector.
