Pakistan’s Traditional Medicine System Faces Uncertainty Amidst Proposed Reforms

A wave of uncertainty is sweeping through Pakistan’s traditional medicine community as proposed legislation threatens the future of tibb colleges and the livelihoods of thousands of hakeems – practitioners of traditional Unani medicine. The potential changes stem from government efforts to consolidate regulatory bodies and align with international financial commitments, sparking fears of institutional closures and the devalidation of long-held qualifications.

The Future of Fazil-i-Tibb-wal-Jarahat

Students currently enrolled in the Fazil-i-Tibb-wal-Jarahat program, a government-recognized degree in Unani medicine, are questioning the value of their education. Arsalan Ali, a student at a tibb college in Lahore, exemplifies this anxiety. Ali, previously a pharmaceutical chemist disillusioned with the side effects of modern medicine, sought to practice Unani medicine – a centuries-vintage healing system utilizing herbal remedies to balance bodily temperaments influenced by Greek, Persian, and Arabic traditions. He fears the proposed legislation will invalidate his degree and prevent him from practicing legally. Dawn reported on these concerns on February 16, 2026.

Government Restructuring and Concerns from Practitioners

The government has instructed colleges to halt new student admissions for the next academic session, fueling concerns that the merger of the National Council for Tibb and the National Council for Homoeopathy will lead to the closure of institutions that have trained traditional hakeems for decades. Approximately 70,000 practitioners holding the Fazil-i-Tibb-wal-Jarahat qualification are potentially at risk of losing their livelihoods, and all 40 tibb colleges across the country could be affected. Dawn detailed these concerns on February 16, 2026.

Distinct Regulatory Frameworks at Risk

Professor Imran Lodhi, principal of Rawalpindi’s Ajmal Tibbia College, highlights the distinct legal framework governing traditional medicine. Allopathic practice operates under the Drug Act 1976, while traditional medicine falls under the Pakistan’s Unani, Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic Practitioners Act, 1965, which established regulatory councils like the National Council for Tibb. The proposed merger threatens to erase this established structure, potentially disrupting the education and regulation of tibb practitioners.

Rural Healthcare Impact

Hakeems argue they play a crucial role in providing healthcare to remote and underserved regions, where MBBS doctors are less likely to practice. The potential loss of tibb colleges and practitioners could exacerbate healthcare access issues in these areas. Students like Sameera Kamran and Ijaz Ahmed emphasize that tibb colleges offer an affordable pathway into healthcare, particularly for students from lower-middle-income backgrounds, and their closure would disproportionately affect access to care in rural communities.

Financial Considerations and IMF Influence

The proposed changes are partly driven by broader fiscal reforms recommended by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced plans to abolish 150,000 government posts as part of IMF-backed structural benchmarks. While the financial burden of the regulatory councils is minimal, the government is proceeding with the merger as part of these wider reforms. Hakeem Muhammad Sajjad, General Secretary of the Pakistan Tibbi Alliance, has formally urged the government to reconsider the legislation.

Patient Perspectives

Patients also report positive experiences with traditional medicine. Awais Siddique, a Lahore resident, shared his story of seeking treatment from a hakeem after conventional medical options failed to address his wife’s health issues. While the efficacy of traditional medicine requires further scientific validation, patient testimonials highlight its perceived value in certain cases.

Ongoing Dialogue and Uncertain Future

Representatives of the Pakistan Medical Alliance recently met with government officials to discuss the preservation of the Unani, Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic Practitioners Act, 1965. However, the future of traditional medicine in Pakistan remains uncertain as the government weighs the need for fiscal reform against the potential consequences for practitioners, students, and patients. Until clarity emerges, students like Arsalan Ali continue their studies with apprehension, unsure whether their chosen profession will be legally recognized upon graduation.