- Khawaja Salman announces conversion of 76 self-finance seats for expats, dual nationals to open merit seats in public sector medical and dental colleges
As per the direction of Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, 76 seats for Foreign Self-Finance Scheme in public sector medical and dental colleges have been converted into open merit seats for the children of overseas Pakistanis and Pakistanis having dual nationality, said Advisor to Punjab chief minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique while presiding over a meeting regarding the admission policy in medical colleges for the children of expats Pakistanis and dual national Pakistanis.
Besides, Secretary Health Jawwad Rafique Malik, King Edward Medical University Vice Chancellor Professor Faisal Masood, University of Health Sciences Vice Chancellor Major General (r) Dr Muhammad Aslam, Punjab Assembly Member (MPA) Dr Nadia Aziz, Overseas Pakistani Commission Commissioner Afzaal Bhatti, DG Kh Daud, officers of Finance and other departments were also present in the meeting.
Salman said that earlier, admission on the said 76 seats was given on Foreign Self-Finance basis.
“Now, as the chief minister directed, these seats have been converted into open merit seats and earmarked for the children of overseas and dual national Pakistanis,” he said.
He further said that the children of overseas Pakistanis have to pass the entry test conducted by the University of Health Sciences or international exam of MCAT or SAT-II.
Overseas Pakistanis Commission Commissioner Afzaal Bhatti said that the main beneficiary of open merit policy would be the children of Pakistanis living in Middle East who send millions of dollars every year to their homeland.
He said that this revolutionary step of the chief minister would provide opportunity to the talented children of overseas Pakistanis to adopt medical profession. He further said that the Punjab Commission for Overseas Pakistanis would continue its efforts for the betterment of overseas Pakistanis.