Punjab Government Refuses to Increase Medical College Seats for Overseas Pakistanis’ Children

Punjab Government Refuses to Increase Medical College Seats for Overseas Pakistanis’ Children

The Punjab government has explicitly ignored Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directive to reserve 15% of seats in public sector medical and dental colleges for children of overseas Pakistanis . The province's admission policy for the 2025–26 academic year , notified in October , retains the existing quota of just 66 seats, less than 2% of the total dashing the hopes of thousands of expatriate families. You can also view MDCAT Guide .

A Broken Promise

The dispute centers on a major announcement made by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in April of this year. In a landmark decision aimed at strengthening ties with the diaspora, the PM declared that a 15% quota would be established nationwide for children of overseas Pakistanis, facilitating over 3,000 students to pursue medical and dental education in Pakistan . The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) subsequently informed the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis that the directive had been implemented and communicated to all relevant stakeholders.

However, Punjab’s newly notified admission policy tells a different story. Not only does it omit any mention of the increased 15% quota, but senior officials confirm it also quietly abolishes a previous provision for free education for overseas Pakistanis' children in government institutions.

“The notification from the Prime Minister was clear and nationwide. The subsequent communication from the PMDC was unambiguous. Punjab’s deliberate omission is a betrayal of the commitment made to hardworking Pakistanis abroad,” said a representative of the Overseas Pakistanis Welfare Association, who requested anonymity due to ongoing deliberations.

The Numbers Behind the Dispute

The scale of the disparity is stark. Punjab’s public sector medical and dental colleges currently offer a total of 3,379 seats comprising 3,121 MBBS and 258 BDS seats . The existing reservation for overseas Pakistanis' children is a mere 66 seats . Implementing a 15% quota would increase this allocation to approximately 507 seats , offering a substantial opportunity for expatriate families seeking quality, affordable medical education for their children in their homeland.

In contrast, private medical colleges in Punjab have long had a 15% quota for foreign students, which includes children of overseas Pakistanis. However, this avenue remains largely inaccessible due to prohibitive costs, with annual fees soaring to approximately Rs. 2.5 million. This high cost has consistently led to vacant seats in the private sector quota, which are later transferred to the open merit pool.

“Our struggle has never been about private colleges. The real issue is access to public sector institutions, where we are more than willing to pay the stipulated foreign fee of US$10,000 for a world-class education,” explained Dr. Ali Raza, a UK-based Pakistani physician advocating for the quota. “We want our children to connect with their roots, but the Punjab government is shutting that door.”

Official Justifications and Internal Pressures

Officials within the Punjab government and the University of Health Sciences (UHS), the central admissions authority, have offered a contentious justification. A senior UHS official claimed that the Prime Minister’s directive applied exclusively to private sector institutions. “The PMDC’s 15% quota has always been for private colleges. Public sector institutions are already under immense strain to maintain standards with limited resources,” the official stated.

This interpretation is fiercely contested. Overseas representatives point to a PMDC letter dated May 23, which they assert clearly states that eligible expatriate students can apply for the 15% “foreign seat” quota in both public and private medical and dental institutions. The letter does not specify a sector limitation.

Insiders reveal deeper reservations within the provincial government. There is significant hesitation to expand any reserved quotas due to intense pressure on the highly competitive admissions system in state-run medical colleges. With tens of thousands of applicants vying for a few thousand seats, any increase in reserved categories is viewed as politically sensitive, potentially diluting the chances of local students.

Furthermore, some sources indicate that the provincial government is conducting a broader review and is considering phasing out all quota-based admissions—including those for minorities, disabled persons, and underdeveloped districts in favor of a purely merit-based system, a move that would be politically explosive.

Foreign Pakistanis Concerns and the Way Forward

The decision has ignited anger and frustration within the overseas Pakistani community, which remits billions of dollars annually and is a cornerstone of the national economy. Many view it as a symbolic rejection that undermines their contributions and emotional ties to the country.

“This is not just about medical seats; it’s about acknowledging our belonging. We send our foreign exchange, but when we ask for a small share in education for our children, we are met with excuses and obfuscation,” said Saadia Khan, a community leader from the United Arab Emirates.

Legal challenges are now being considered. Advocacy groups are preparing to petition the courts, arguing that the provincial government has unlawfully disregarded a federal directive and violated the legitimate expectations of overseas Pakistanis.

As the 2025–26 admissions cycle approaches, the standoff presents a critical test for the government’s relationship with its diaspora. The failure to implement the promised quota in Punjab the country’s largest province and home to its premier medical institutions not only contradicts the Prime Minister’s public commitment but also risks alienating a vital national asset: its overseas citizens and their next generation.