KARACHI: An internal dispute within the Pakistan Dental Association (PDA) has taken a new turn as Dr. Mohammad Feroz Jahangir, General Secretary of the Karachi Branch, issued a second formal letter to PDA Central Council President Dr. Khurshid Ahmed, raising concerns over continued delays in the approval of the association’s constitution and the announcement of elections. A copy of the letter was also shared by Dr. Feroz Jahangir with Dental News.
In a letter dated June 17, 2025, addressed to the PDA Central Council President, Dr. Jahangir expressed frustration over the lack of progress since the last official communication on April 15. He noted that the April letter had promised to share the final draft of the constitution after legal vetting and move toward conducting elections — commitments that, he claimed, remain unfulfilled.
“It is with great disappointment that I write to you again,” Dr. Jahangir wrote. “The delay in finalizing and approving the constitution, along with the lack of a clear roadmap for holding free and fair elections, is deeply concerning.”
Dr. Jahangir issued a one-month deadline for PDA Central to take “meaningful steps” toward finalizing the constitution and setting election dates. In the absence of progress, he vowed to resign from his post and appeal to office-bearers across all zones and branches to also resign in protest and initiate “a renewed democratic process.”
Response from PDA Central President
In response to this development, PDA Central Council President Dr. Khurshid Ahmed, while speaking to Dental News Pakistan, said that neither he nor the PDA Central Council had officially received the June 17 letter from Dr. Jahangir.
“This letter has neither reached us officially nor have we seen it anywhere in media,” Dr. Khurshid stated.
He questioned the procedural legitimacy of the letter, adding:
“As a nominated office bearer of the PDA Karachi Chapter, did Dr. Feroz Jahangir take his own chapter into confidence before issuing this public statement? Moreover, Karachi Chapter falls under the jurisdiction of PDA Sindh. Has the Sindh Council been consulted or informed?”
Dr. Khurshid also addressed Dr. Jahangir’s vow to resign if no progress is made within a month, saying:
“Let us be clear — Dr. Feroz Jahangir is not an elected official. So how can he talk of resigning? Further, is this meant to be an individual act, or is he claiming to represent a collective decision of the entire PDA Karachi Chapter?”
He further remarked that the tone and timing of the letter suggest it may be politically motivated.
“This appears to be more of a political stunt aimed at personal visibility rather than a sincere effort to resolve organizational matters through proper channels. Given the lack of formal communication and the absence of internal consultation, we do not consider the letter currently circulating in the media as response-worthy at this stage,” he concluded.
Background to the constitutional impasse
Tensions around PDA’s internal governance have been simmering since early 2025. In March, PDA Karachi formally raised concerns about the absence of a ratified constitution and operational clarity. On April 15, PDA Central responded with a letter authorizing the Karachi Branch to function independently and open a bank account — while also promising that the final version of the constitution would soon be shared after legal review.
That commitment, according to Dr. Jahangir, has yet to materialize.
A developing story
In line with journalistic standards of balance, accuracy, and fairness, Dental News Pakistan has reported both perspectives in this internal dispute and will continue to follow the story as it evolves. We remain committed to reflecting the voices of all stakeholders and upholding the integrity of the dental profession through responsible reporting.
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