# Punjab Healthcare Commission seals 1,037 quack clinics, Lahore tops the list with 220

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/health/punjab-healthcare-commission-seals-1037-quack-clinics-lahore-tops-the-list-with)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 12 Oct 2026
Updated: 12 Oct 2026
Retrieved: 12 Oct 2026

> The PHC inspected 3,457 premises across Punjab in its latest anti-quackery drive. Here is the district-by-district count and how to check whether your clinic is registered.

**The Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) has sealed 1,037 illegal clinics run by quacks across the province**, a commission spokesperson said, after its teams inspected 3,457 premises in the latest round of its crackdown on unqualified medical practitioners, [ProPakistani reported](https://propakistani.pk/2026/10/12/punjab-seals-1000-illegal-clinics/) on Monday 12 October 2026.

That means roughly three in every ten premises the teams walked into were shut on the spot. The spokesperson said the operation is continuing across Punjab. The statement did not say over what period the inspections took place.

## Quack clinics sealed by district

| District | Clinics sealed |
|---|---|
| Lahore | 220 |
| Gujranwala | 111 |
| Multan | 107 |
| Rawalpindi | 64 |
| Faisalabad | 63 |
| Dera Ghazi Khan | 55 |
| Sargodha | 50 |
| Sheikhupura | 35 |
| Sahiwal | 31 |
| Other districts | 301 |
| **Punjab total** | **1,037** |

The "other districts" row is the difference between the provincial total and the nine districts the commission named; it did not give a breakdown for the rest.

## What counts as a quack

Under the Punjab Healthcare Commission Act 2010, every healthcare establishment in Punjab, from a one-room clinic to a hospital, must be registered with the PHC, and anyone treating patients must hold a registration from the relevant council: the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council for doctors and dentists, or the councils for homeopathic and tibb practitioners. A person who runs a clinic, gives injections, sets drips or prescribes medicines without that registration is treated as a quack, and the commission can seal the premises and impose fines.

Unqualified practice is most common in low-income neighbourhoods and villages, where a cheaper "doctor" round the corner is often the first stop. The risks are well documented: reused syringes spread hepatitis B and C, and wrong doses of steroids and antibiotics cause lasting harm.

## How to check a clinic before you go

1. **Look for the PMDC number.** A registered doctor or dentist has a PMDC registration number, which you can search on the PMDC website by name or number.
2. **Look for the PHC registration certificate.** Registered clinics are required to display it.
3. **Watch for warning signs:** no name or qualification on the board, injections or drips for every complaint, and medicines handed over loose without a written prescription.
4. **Report a suspected quack** to the Punjab Healthcare Commission through its website or helpline, giving the address and what you saw.

## What it means for you

If your family's regular clinic was among those sealed, ask for your records and any prescriptions, and move to a registered doctor or the nearest government Basic Health Unit or Rural Health Centre, where consultation is free. For hospitals and registered clinics near you, see our directory of [hospitals in Lahore](/businesses/hospitals/lahore) and [hospitals in Multan](/businesses/hospitals/multan).

## Frequently asked questions

**How many quack clinics has the Punjab Healthcare Commission sealed?**

1,037 clinics after inspecting 3,457 premises, including 220 in Lahore, 111 in Gujranwala and 107 in Multan, the commission said on 12 October 2026.

**How can I check if a doctor is registered in Pakistan?**

Search the doctor's name or registration number on the PMDC website, and ask the clinic to show its Punjab Healthcare Commission registration certificate.

## Sources

- Punjab Seals 1,000+ Illegal Clinics (ProPakistani): https://propakistani.pk/2026/10/12/punjab-seals-1000-illegal-clinics/

How to cite: "Punjab Healthcare Commission seals 1,037 quack clinics, Lahore tops the list with 220", Searchable, 12 Oct 2026, https://searchable.pk/news/health/punjab-healthcare-commission-seals-1037-quack-clinics-lahore-tops-the-list-with