Islamabad — The long-standing issue of medical seat allocation for students from FATA and Balochistan took center stage once again as prominent student leaders met with State Minister for Law and Justice, Atta Tarar, to demand the restoration and increase of MBBS and BDS seats to 500.
This development marks a significant milestone in the ongoing campaign for educational equity and merit-based opportunities for students belonging to historically marginalized regions of Pakistan.
Murak Zaib, MNA, facilitated the high-level meeting in Islamabad, where student representative Rahat Veer eloquently highlighted the deep-rooted injustice perpetrated by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC). Veer presented evidence of the unjust reduction in medical seats from FATA and Balochistan, which currently stands at a mere 194 seats—far below the previously allocated and required number to meet regional needs.
“We are not asking for privilege. We are demanding what is rightfully ours,” said Rahat Veer during the session. “The future of hundreds of deserving medical aspirants from FATA and Balochistan hangs in the balance. Our demand for the restoration of 500 medical seats is based on justice, constitutional rights, and equal opportunity.”
The student delegation emphasized that the current seat allocation is insufficient given the population growth and increasing number of qualified pre-medical students in both regions. They called on the federal government and PMDC to take immediate corrective measures to ensure fair representation in public medical and dental colleges.
Key Demands:
- Immediate restoration of reduced MBBS and BDS seats
- Increase total medical seats to 500 for FATA and Balochistan students
- Permanent seat quota to safeguard future generations
- Transparent and merit-based allocation system
The meeting with Minister Atta Tarar is part of a broader campaign that includes student protests, legal advocacy, and community mobilization. The movement has received growing support from civil society, education activists, and lawmakers concerned about regional disparities in higher education.
Why This Matters:
Restoring medical seats for Ex FATA and Balochistan is not just an administrative issue; it is a matter of educational justice, regional inclusion, and national integration. By increasing access to professional education, Pakistan moves one step closer to eliminating systemic inequalities that have long hindered development in these areas.
Any update about seats restriction