The chief minister Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif, has directed public sector dental and medical colleges to convert ‘Overseas Self-Finance Scheme’ into open merit seats for both foreign Pakistanis and students having dual nationality.
The decision taken by the CM was informed by Khawaja Salman Rafique, the health adviser to the Punjab chief minister, while addressing a meeting.
According to Rafique, the 76 seats which had earlier been allocated for Overseas Self-Finance basis have now been kept for merit-based admissions for Pakistani students coming from abroad. These students would have to take either the SAT-2, MCAT or pass the universities entry test.
It was also brought into discussion that Pakistanis living abroad, specifically the Middle East, send millions of dollars back to Pakistan, each year – this would greatly benefit the children of these Pakistanis.
Representative of the Punjab Commission of Overseas Pakistanis in the meeting vowed to continue their struggle for the betterment of the citizens in foreign lands, calling the CM’s decision a revolutionary step in providing talented youth abroad with opportunities in the homeland.
The secretary health, vice chancellor of University of Health Sciences, overseas Pakistani commissioner, officers of finance and member of Punjab assembly were also present in the meeting.