By Dr Alamdar Hussain Malik
THE Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council (PVMC), as the statutory body responsible for regulating veterinary education and practice in the country, holds a pivotal role in shaping the future of the veterinary profession in Pakistan. At present, the veterinary education system in Pakistan faces several challenges, including insufficient practical training, limited access to modern laboratories and clinical infrastructure, and lack of exposure to global standards of veterinary education.
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In this context, the role of PVMC should not remain confined to regulation alone but must actively promote innovation in veterinary education, enhance research capacity, and strengthen professional skills of both students and faculty.
A critical and long-overdue reform is the introduction of Faculty and Student Exchange Programs, not only across Pakistan’s veterinary institutions but also in collaboration with internationally recognized veterinary universities and regulatory authorities. Through these programs, students and faculty will gain exposure to advanced techniques, modern research practices, and global standards of education, while also interacting directly with faculty and students from other institutions, exchanging experiences, and benefiting from advanced laboratories and infrastructure. This collaboration will bridge gaps in practical training and develop graduates equipped to meet contemporary professional requirements.
Currently, there is a noticeable imbalance among veterinary institutions across Pakistan. While some universities have well-equipped teaching hospitals and diagnostic laboratories, others lack even basic clinical facilities. As a result, thousands of veterinary students graduate each year without adequate exposure to advanced diagnostics, surgical procedures, or field-level practical training. This deficiency directly impacts the quality of veterinary services, animal health management, and disease control nationwide.
Well-structured inter-university faculty and student exchange programs can help PVMC address this gap, enabling students from less-equipped institutions to gain practical experience at better-resourced hospitals, laboratories, and research centers. By sharing infrastructure, clinical facilities, and academic resources, the veterinary community can ensure uniform learning opportunities and professional skill development across the country. Such initiatives will also foster collaboration, innovation, and professional harmony among institutions.
In addition to domestic collaboration, PVMC should pursue partnerships with international veterinary education councils and associations, such as the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE), and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). These collaborations will allow Pakistani students and faculty to gain exposure to advanced global standards of veterinary medicine, One Health initiatives, animal welfare, and research ethics. Visiting faculty and students from abroad can also contribute to raising professional standards within Pakistan by sharing modern techniques and teaching methodologies. Such international linkages will modernize the academic environment and help PVMC align Pakistan’s veterinary education with international accreditation systems, paving the way for mutual recognition of qualifications and global career opportunities for Pakistani veterinarians.
However, these goals can only be realized if the Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council functions with integrity, continuity, and ownership of its mandate. At present, many PVMC Council members, nominated for a four-year term, treat their membership as a ceremonial assignment, attending meetings merely to fulfill formalities rather than contributing constructively. This lack of commitment has severely limited PVMC’s effectiveness in initiating meaningful reforms, including faculty and student exchange programs.
If PVMC is to play a developmental rather than merely regulatory role, its members must possess genuine professional attachment and ownership of the Council’s mandate. Every member should be an active stakeholder in advancing the quality of veterinary education, clinical standards, and research capacity in Pakistan. A council driven by visionary, professionally engaged members can design and implement transformative programs — whereas a council dominated by passive representation will only maintain the status quo.
The amendments in the PVMC Act 1996 are the call of the day. The core issue is not the law’s framework but its effective implementation and active participation from those entrusted with authority. Instead of repeatedly revising internal procedures, the focus should be on revisiting the nomination process of PVMC members, ensuring inclusion of relevant ministries such as the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Law and Justice, and the Higher Education Commission (HEC). Their representation will strengthen PVMC’s financial, legal, and administrative foundation and improve coordination, resource allocation, and policy execution at the national level.
Additionally, the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) curriculum must be revised to ensure that Animal Husbandry subjects receive a balanced and proportionate share. This is vital to make the DVM a truly composite degree program integrating both animal health and production. Without adequate emphasis on Animal Husbandry, graduates remain confined to clinical aspects, missing the broader professional perspective linking veterinary medicine to livestock development, food security, and the national economy. A balanced curriculum would produce veterinarians who not only treat animals but also contribute meaningfully to the growth, productivity, and sustainability of the livestock sector.
To translate this vision into reality, PVMC should establish a dedicated “National Veterinary Exchange and Collaboration Wing”, with clear objectives and performance indicators. This wing can coordinate with HEC for academic mobility and credit transfer systems, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research for policy and funding support, and international veterinary education councils for bilateral exchange arrangements and joint research projects. Such coordination will formalize national and international veterinary exchange programs and ensure their continuity beyond individual leadership terms.
By institutionalizing faculty and student exchanges, PVMC can address the chronic shortage of clinical exposure, build professional confidence among graduates, and promote excellence in veterinary teaching and research. Through shared learning, Pakistan’s veterinary education system can move toward uniform standards, mutual collaboration, and global relevance — ultimately benefiting the livestock sector, food safety, and public health nationwide.
The dream of a modern and globally competitive veterinary education system in Pakistan will remain unrealized unless PVMC reforms itself from within. The success of any national or international exchange program depends not on paperwork, but on visionary leadership and genuine commitment of the Council’s members. If PVMC is led by professionals who see themselves as custodians of veterinary education rather than ceremonial participants, then Pakistan can truly build a bridge between knowledge and practice — connecting its institutions, uplifting its students, and earning respect across the global veterinary community. It is time for PVMC to transform from regulation to leadership, and from formality to purpose.
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