The bill, moved by Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif to establish the NUMS, was thoroughly debated by Senators from both treasury and opposition benches.
Khawaja Asif said there was a clear mention of the NUMS regulator in the bill and the government would have no objection if the lawmakers wanted to further strengthen the role of it (regulator) - Pakistan Medical Dental Council (PMDC).
He assured the House that the government would support a private member bill, if introduced, for improving working of the PMDC.
Leader of the Opposition Aitzaz Ahsan, senators including Farhatullah Babar, Baz Muhammad Khan, Karim Khawaja, Taj Haider, Usman Kakar, Nauman Wazir, Mushahid Hussain Syed, Kamil Ali Agha, Farooq H. Naek, Saeed Ghani, William John Kennath, Salahuddin Tirmizi, Usman Saifullah Kahn Mohsin Leghari and Shahi Syed urged that NUMS should be controlled by PMDC.
They said degrees granted by NUMS would be credible and acknowledged in the world, when the institution would be run in accordance with the rules and regulations of PMDC.
They also underlined the need for reviewing the PMDC Ordinance and purge the council of corrupt elements.