The Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council (PNMC) has released an official list of 38 fake nursing colleges operating in Pakistan, warning students and parents to avoid admissions in these unrecognized institutions. The council clarified that degrees from such unapproved nursing colleges will not be valid for employment or further education, as they do not meet PNMC’s accreditation standards. According to the breakdown, 25 fake colleges are in Punjab, five in Islamabad, five in Sindh, and two in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, highlighting how widespread the issue of unregistered institutions has become across the country.
Officials explained that the registration and inspection of nursing colleges had been delayed due to a recent presidential ordinance that restructured PNMC, creating a loophole that some unauthorized institutions exploited. Despite the presence of 755 officially recognized nursing and midwiferyinstitutesnationwide, Pakistan continues to face a serious shortage of trained nurses, a situation that has encouraged fake colleges to enroll students without fulfilling the required academic and clinical standards.
PNMC has strongly advised prospective students to always verify the recognition status of nursing colleges in Pakistan through its official website before applying. Enrolling in a fake or unrecognized nursing college can result in wasted time and money, invalid degrees, rejection from hospitals and healthcare facilities, and ineligibility for higher education in nursing. This warning serves as a reminder that only PNMC-recognized institutes can provide valid qualifications that lead to professional growth and contribute to strengthening Pakistan’s healthcare system.
PNMC sources revealed that several of these institutions have continued admitting students despite repeated advisories and public notices declaring them illegal.
