The tragic suicide of a third-year medical student in Mirpurkhas has triggered nationwide outrage prompting the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) to demand strict action, systemic reforms and a high-level judicial inquiry into allegations of harassment and institutional failure.
Fahmeeda Laghari, a third-year MBBS student of Muhammad Medical College —now part of Ibne Sina University — reportedly took her own life at her residence earlier this week. Her family alleged that she was subjected to harassment by a college professor, an accusation that has sent shockwaves across the country and ignited debate over the safety of students in medical institutions.
In response, the PMDC vowed to take strict regulatory action against the faculty and administration if they were found guilty. PMDC President Prof Dr Rizwan Taj expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling the loss of a young medical student under such distressing circumstances deeply alarming and unacceptable.
He welcomed the inquiry initiated by the Sindh government and stressed that the investigation must be transparent, impartial and comprehensive. He emphasised that the findings should be shared with the council to enable regulatory and disciplinary proceedings against those responsible for the suicide.
“The PMDC will take strict action against any faculty member or institution found responsible, in accordance with its rules and regulations,” he stated, reiterating the council’s zero-tolerance policy towards harassment.
Prof Taj noted that all medical and dental colleges had already been directed to establish functional anti-harassment committees to ensure timely redress of complaints and safeguard the students’ mental well-being.
He warned that failure to provide a safe academic environment would constitute a violation of PMDC regulations and ethical standards. The council has sought a complete record of the case, including details of the incident and findings of inquiries conducted by the institution and government authorities. Upon receipt, the matter will be referred to the PMDC Disciplinary Committee for appropriate action.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Medical Association issued a strongly worded statement describing the incident as part of a disturbing pattern of suicides within educational and professional institutions.
The association expressed grief over the loss and termed the recurring tragedies an alarming indictment of the prevailing environment in academia. The PMA pointed out that the death of the Mirpurkhas student was not an isolated case, citing similar incidents in the University of Sindh in 2017, Jamshoro in 2019, and Dadu in 2022. It warned that the continued loss of young and talented individuals — particularly female students — reflects a deepening crisis requiring immediate national attention.
Calling the situation a critical moment for the medical fraternity and the government, the PMA stressed that silence was no longer an option. “We can no longer afford to remain silent while the very people dedicated to saving lives feel they have no recourse but to end their own,” the association stated.
To ensure justice and prevent future tragedies, the PMA demanded formation of a high-level judicial commission headed by a sitting high court judge to conduct a transparent and independent investigation into the Mirpurkhas incident and similar cases.
The association also called for rigorous investigations into allegations of harassment and professional pressure, urging the authorities to hold the responsible persons accountable under the law. It further emphasised the need for identifying the root causes — administrative, psychological, and social — and to implement robust support systems for medical students and professionals.
Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, secretary general of the PMA Centre, said the association stood in solidarity with the bereaved families and remained committed to protecting the well-being and safety of healthcare professionals across Pakistan.
