The Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council (PVMC) has warned students and parents to verify the approval status of veterinary and animal husbandry degree programmes before taking admission.
In a public notice, the PVMC clarified that various public and private universities, federal institutions and other organizations across Pakistan are offering degrees in Veterinary and Animal Sciences and Animal Husbandry, including DVM, MS/MPhil and PhD programmes. However, not all programmes offered by these institutions have been approved by the Council.
The PVMC cautioned that students who obtain veterinary education from institutions or programmes not approved by the Council may not be eligible for registration as veterinary practitioners. Without registration with the PVMC, graduates cannot obtain government employment related to veterinary services.
The Council advised students to check the approval status of their specific degree programme before submitting an admission application or paying any fees.
Universities and Programmes Approved by PVMC
According to the notice, the following institutions have approved programmes, subject to specific programme and subject-wise conditions:
- University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore — DVM, MS/MPhil and PhD approved
- University of Agriculture, Faisalabad — DVM, MS/MPhil and PhD approved
- Agriculture University, Peshawar — DVM, MS/MPhil and PhD approved
- Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam — DVM, MS/MPhil and PhD approved
- Gomal University, D.I. Khan — DVM approved; MS/MPhil and PhD not approved
- Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi — DVM and certain MS/MPhil programmes approved; PhD not approved
- University of Poonch, Rawalakot — DVM, MS/MPhil and PhD not approved
- Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water & Marine Sciences, Uthal — DVM approved; MS/MPhil and PhD not approved
- Royal College of Veterinary Sciences, Lahore — DVM, MS/MPhil and PhD approved subject to conditions
- Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan — DVM and certain MS/MPhil programmes approved; PhD not approved
- Islamia University, Bahawalpur — DVM and certain MS/MPhil programmes approved; PhD not approved
- College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Jhang — DVM and certain MS/MPhil programmes approved; PhD not approved
- Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Sakrand — DVM approved; MS/MPhil and PhD not approved
- Khan Bahadur Chaudhry Mushtaq Ahmed College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Narowal — DVM and certain MS/MPhil programmes approved; PhD not approved
- Faculty of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Ziauddin University, Karachi — DVM approved; MS/MPhil and PhD not approved
- Cholistan University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (CUVAS), Bahawalpur — DVM approved; MS/MPhil and PhD not approved
- AJ&K University of Bhimber, Bhimber — DVM, MS/MPhil and PhD not approved
- Multan College of Veterinary Sciences, Multan University of Science & Technology — DVM approved; MS/MPhil and PhD not approved
- Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan — DVM approved; MS/MPhil and PhD not approved
- University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Swat — DVM and certain MS/MPhil programmes approved; PhD not approved
Approval May Depend on the Subject
The PVMC also clarified that approval for MS/MPhil and PhD programmes is not necessarily blanket approval for every subject. The notice specifies particular subjects and programmes for which postgraduate approval has been granted.
It also states that some postgraduate approvals apply only to programmes initiated up to and including 2021.
Students are therefore advised to check the approval status of their specific programme and subject, rather than relying only on the name of the university.
Students Advised to Verify Before Admission
The Council has urged prospective students and parents to confirm programme recognition directly through the official PVMC website before taking admission.
The notice states: “Before taking admission, verify your programme” through the PVMC.
The warning has particular importance for students seeking a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, as PVMC registration is essential for professional practice and relevant government veterinary employment.
For further information, students can contact the Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council at its office in Islamabad or verify programmes through the Council's official website, pvmc.gov.pk.
