Punjab increases medical college quota for ICT students

The revised quota addresses long-standing concerns and promotes equitable opportunities.

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Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) has commended the Punjab government for accepting the suggestion to significantly increase the quota of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT)-domiciled students in Punjab’s public sector medical and dental colleges for the academic year 2024-25.

According to PMDC, this progressive step addresses a critical concern for ICT students and reinforces the commitment to fairness and inclusion in medical education.

The issue of ICT students’ admissions gained attention after a reduction in allocated seats was announced.

Many students approached the PM&DC President regarding this issue; therefore the President alerted the concerned heads.

In response, the Punjab government reviewed an increase in the quota seats for ICT-domiciled students.

The recently announced admission policy for the 2024-25 session by the Punjab Government, under clause 11, restricts the quota for ICT-domiciled students to only three seats.

Recognizing the potential impact of this reduction on students’ aspirations, PM&DC collaborated closely with the Ministry of National Health Services, the Standing Committee on Health and other stakeholders.

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After a thorough review and consultation, the Punjab Government increased the quota from three to 30 seats.

President PM&DC, Prof. Dr.Rizwan Taj said that the increase in the quota seats reflects equitable access to education and highlights the importance of prioritizing student welfare.

He said, “By increasing the quota for ICT students, we are developing a more inclusive and balanced approach to medical education, which benefits the entire nation.”

He said that the need for this has become evident due to the rapid increase in population observed over the past few years. “PM&DC appreciates the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and the standing committee on health, in bringing this issue to resolution.”

The council emphasized the importance of continuing efforts to address the inter-provincial admission policies and expressed hope that the decision will improve educational equity.