Pakistani connection of Texas Medical Board members on radar: Dual role, advising foreign students

The Pakistani connection of the Texas Medical Board members has come on the radar as medical freedom advocate Dr Mary Talley Bowden exposed how one of the board members is holding a post in Pakistan as well, and how another advises foreign students how to get residency in US medical schools.

Rao Kamran Ali

Bowden pointed out that Rao Kamran Ali, a Texas resident and a member of the Texas Physical Assistant Board, also serves as the USA coordinator for URAAN Pakistan, a flagship initiative of Pakistan’s Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives aimed at building a “trillion-dollar economy” by 2035. “Pakistan is famous for tolerating violence against women, child marriage and honor killings,” Dr Bowden added.Republican Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Ali to the Texas Medical Board in September 2023. After his term expired, the governor reappointed him in April 2025 to serve until 2031.

Dr Sherif Zaafran

Dr Sherif Zaafran is the president of the Texas Medical Board. Bur Dr Bowden pointed out that Zaafran is more interested in offering tips to foreign students to get into medical school in the US. Sharing a video of Dr Zaafran addressing Pakistani medical students, Dr Bowden wrote: “Are you an American hoping to get into medical school? The head of the Texas Medical Board, Dr. Sherif Zaafran, actually has some great advice, but for some reason, he’s focused on sharing it with foreign students. I encourage all American pre-med students to watch this for important information.”Dr Zaafran advised that there are some specializations, like psychiatry and family practice, where foreign medical graduates can get chances in residency, as there’s not much competition, unlike specializations like surgery and ophthalmology, where the competition is tough.Dr Bowden cited the case of one of her colleagues who has a spotless record but not getting a medical license in Texas, as the Texas Medical Board is recruiting doctors from other countries to apply for licensure.