PMDC orders inquiry report after FJMU student's alleged suicide in Lahore

ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) on Thursday took notice of the alleged suicide of a medical student at Lahore’s Fatima Jinnah Medical University (FJMU) and demanded a detailed report from the institution.

The incident occurred on Tuesday night when a 22-year-old female student, originally from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, reportedly died after jumping from the fourth floor of a university hostel. She was residing in the government hostel facility at FJMU.

In an official letter addressed to the university principal, the PMDC registrar described the matter as highly serious, noting its potential impact on the wider student community. The council instructed the university to submit a factual account of the incident within seven days.

The PMDC requested information regarding the circumstances recorded by the institution, the establishment of any inquiry or fact-finding committee, its members and mandate, as well as any preliminary findings and the expected timeframe for completion of the investigation.

The council also sought details of measures being taken to improve hostel safety and strengthen mental health support services for students.

Emphasising that medical and dental students form a crucial part of Pakistan’s future healthcare workforce, the PMDC stressed the urgent need for effective student support systems. It advised all medical and dental colleges to appoint qualified counsellors and psychologists to provide timely guidance and assistance to students facing psychological distress.

The PMDC further recommended confidential counselling services and closer monitoring of student wellbeing, particularly for signs of anxiety, depression, stress, and burnout.

The development comes amid growing concern over similar incidents reported recently at universities in Lahore, highlighting the importance of proactive mental health care in educational institutions.

On the other hand, the Fatima Jinnah Medical University has postponed scheduled examinational and other educational activities after a student died after allegedly falling from a hostel roof.

“The undergraduate classes (MBBS Program) of Fatima Jinnah Medical College, Lahore, will remain off w.e.f. 18th to 24th February 2026 due to the sad demise of Ms Fareeha Afrahim, Student of FJMC”, said an official notification.

Another notification states, “It is hereby notified that all the Examinations (Theory & Practical) notified by Fatima Jinnah Medical University (FJMU) shall stand postponed with immediate effect due to the sad demise of Ms Fareeha Afrahim, a student of Fatima Jinnah Medical College (FJMC) Lahore.”

The new examination dates will be announced later, the university said.