*Policies based on gender discrimination violate constitution
The Lahore High Court (LHC) Thursday sought reply from the Punjab Health secretary, University of Health Sciences and Pakistan Medical and Dental Council vice chancellor on a petition challenging new medical colleges’ admission policy on quota basis.
Justice Ayesha A Malik passed the orders on a petition filed by two female candidates including Asima Javed and Saadia.
Earlier, the petitioners counsel arguing before the court submitted that the respondents had implemented a new policy for admissions in medical colleges and reserved 50 percent seats for male candidates whereas remaining 50 percents seats were reserved for female candidates.
The counsel said that the Apex Court had already declared that the admissions in medical colleges should be made on open merit basis.
The counsel contended that the new policy was not only against the Supreme Court orders but also in violation of fundamental rights.
The counsel pleaded the court to set aside the new policy and directions be issued for admissions in medical colleges on open merit basis.
The court after hearing the arguments sought reply from the respondents and adjourned the matter till October 28.