The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) has praised the Punjab government for its decision 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.
This move addresses longstanding concerns over limited opportunities for ICT students and underscores a commitment to ensuring fairness and inclusivity in medical education, according to the PM&DC.
The issue gained prominence after the Punjab government initially announced a reduction in allocated seats for ICT students, limiting their quota to just three seats under clause 11 of the 2024-25 admission policy. This sparked widespread concern among students and prompted them to seek intervention from PM&DC President Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj.
In response, the PM&DC, in collaboration with the Ministry of National Health Services, the Standing Committee on Health, and other stakeholders, advocated for a review of the policy. Following thorough consultations, the Punjab government increased the quota from three to 30 seats.
Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj emphasized that this decision promotes equitable access to medical education and prioritizes student welfare. “By increasing the quota for ICT students, we are fostering a more inclusive and balanced approach to medical education, which benefits the entire nation,” he stated.
He also highlighted the growing need for such measures due to the rapid population increase in recent years and commended the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders in reaching this resolution.
The PM&DC reaffirmed its commitment to addressing inter-provincial admission policies and expressed optimism that this decision will contribute to greater educational equity across the country.
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