December 26, 2025 – The Azad Jammu and Kashmir High Court has directed the government and health authorities to rigorously implement the existing policy regulating allied health sciences institutions, emphasizing that no institute will be permitted to operate unlawfully or compromise public health. Justice Sardar Mohammad Ejaz issued the orders while deciding two consolidated petitions concerning the functioning and oversight of private paramedical and allied health facilities in the region.
The ruling reinforces the 2019 policy framework for registration, affiliation, and supervision, aiming to safeguard standards in medical education and training.
Justice Ejaz remarked that the authorities had failed to effectively discharge their regulatory obligations.https://t.co/yrKqOQ5PIP
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) December 26, 2025
Key Highlights
- Court upholds March 28, 2019, policy governing registration, affiliations, and NOC issuance for allied health institutions
- Institutions must adhere to recognized curricula, submit annual teaching plans, and ensure authorized clinical training
- Authorities ordered to inspect all public and private institutes, verify compliance, and take priority legal action against violators
- Petition by lawyers partly allowed; separate plea by five private institute owners dismissed
- Director general health assures action against non-compliant entities to protect lives
- Compliance report required within three months; judgment to be circulated for immediate implementation
Upholding Regulatory Standards
Justice Ejaz noted that the comprehensive 2019 policy adequately addresses concerns over unauthorized operations, mandatory affiliations with bodies like the Punjab Medical Faculty or HEC-recognized universities, and proper clinical arrangements.
Petitioners from the Central Bar Association had highlighted risks to public safety from institutes enrolling students and issuing qualifications without meeting standards. The court rejected claims of no regulatory mechanism, pointing to existing provisions that empower the health department to act — including a 2023 instance where sealing was sought for a non-compliant facility.
The director general health acknowledged around 25 operating institutions but could not confirm full compliance across the board. He committed to preventing any compromise on human lives.
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Judicial Directions and Restraint
While expressing concern over references from the Allied Health Professionals Council asserting national oversight under the 2022 Act, the judge stressed judicial restraint in policy matters unless arbitrariness or rights violations are proven.
Proceedings against errant institutes cannot be halted, the court ruled, dismissing challenges from private owners seeking to restore training arrangements.
This decision strengthens oversight in the allied health sector, ensuring institutions contribute positively to healthcare without endangering standards or public trust.
Authorities are now tasked with swift inspections and enforcement, reflecting a commitment to quality education and professional training across Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
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