Afridi to lead PTI march on Islamabad, says ‘no …

Islamabad: A major debate has erupted over medical college seat expansion in Pakistan after the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) announced new seat enhancements for private medical colleges, while hundreds of existing private sector seats remain vacant due to the high cost of medical education. During a meeting of the Sub Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, the PMDC President informed lawmakers that seat enhancement approval has so far been granted to 19 private medical colleges. However, the exact number of additional seats approved for these 19 private medical colleges has not yet been disclosed. The announcement came as the committee was already discussing the serious shortage of affordable medical education opportunities for students who want to become doctors. PMDC officials also informed the committee that the government has increased public sector medical college seats by 780 additional seats, creating more opportunities for students seeking admission in public institutions. The committee was told that the increase in seats was part of efforts to expand medical education opportunities and address the growing student demand. At the same time, officials highlighted a major contradiction in the current system. While authorities are increasing the number of medical seats, hundreds of private medical college seats remain empty because many students cannot afford the fees. PMDC officials also informed the committee that hundreds of private medical college seats remained vacant this year because many students were unable to afford the high fee structure of private institutions. They stated the main reason was the high fee structure of private medical colleges, where many students could not afford fees ranging from Rs18 lakh to Rs25 lakh annually. Senator Anusha Rahman questioned why qualified students were unable to enter medical colleges when seats were available. She asked officials whether any seats in public medical colleges were vacant. PMDC officials replied that public medical college seats were completely filled. The senator questioned the situation, saying that thousands of students who had successfully passed MDCAT were still unable to become doctors because of limited seats and financial problems. She pointed out that around 70,000 to 75,000 students who cleared the admission test were left without medical college opportunities. The committee questioned whether enough steps were being taken to protect these students’ futures. During the discussion, Officials suggested a large scale expansion plan and proposed adding 10,000 more medical seats in the Medical sector through government supported loans and scholarship programmes. Senator Shahzaib Durrani said such an initiative could help thousands of students and would require around Rs15 billion annually, which he described as a manageable amount for the government. The committee also discussed whether increasing seats could affect the quality of medical education. PMDC officials explained that medical education requires proper clinical training facilities, including hospitals and patient exposure. Officials said there are specific requirements for increasing medical seats because colleges must have enough hospital beds for students. According to PMDC standards, colleges with 100 students require around 500 hospital beds, while institutions with 200 students need around 750 beds and colleges with 300 students require around 1,000 beds. A PMDC member said medical education cannot be expanded without improving clinical facilities because doctors need practical training, not only classroom education. However, Senator Anusha Rahman argued that increasing seats could encourage institutions to expand their healthcare facilities. She said medical graduates are also a national resource and many Pakistani doctors contribute internationally. The senator directed PMDC to prepare recommendations explaining why private medical college seats remained vacant and what should be done for thousands of qualified students who are unable to secure admission.

Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has commented on Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s position within the government, describing him as one of the most influential ministers and highlighting his role in key matters. Speaking during Geo News’ programme Naya Pakistan, Khawaja Asif said that Mohsin Naqvi has considerable authority in the current government. He also discussed Naqvi’s participation in cabinet proceedings and parliamentary activities. Khawaja Asif stated that although Mohsin Naqvi holds the portfolio of interior minister, he has not been a frequent participant in cabinet meetings or parliamentary sessions. He said that he had seen Naqvi in cabinet meetings only a limited number of times. The defence minister’s remarks have drawn attention to discussions about government structure, ministerial responsibilities, and decision-making processes. Political observers often analyze the roles and influence of key officeholders within governments, particularly when senior leaders make public comments about internal affairs. Cabinet members are responsible for managing their respective ministries and contributing to government policy decisions. The level of influence exercised by individual ministers can vary depending on their portfolios, responsibilities, and involvement in major national issues. Mohsin Naqvi, who serves as the interior minister, has remained a prominent figure in government discussions due to the importance of the interior ministry, which handles matters related to internal security, law enforcement, and public administration. Khawaja Asif’s comments have sparked debate among political circles regarding coordination between government institutions and the working relationship between cabinet members. As political discussions continue, statements from senior government officials often become part of broader conversations about governance, accountability, and the functioning of state institutions.

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has decided to keep its benchmark policy interest rate unchanged at 11.50% following the latest meeting of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). The decision reflects the central bank’s cautious approach as it continues to monitor inflation, economic growth, and global developments that could influence Pakistan’s financial outlook. The policy rate has remained at 11.50% since April 27, with policymakers choosing to maintain the current stance despite recent inflationary pressures. During the meeting, the committee reviewed key economic indicators, inflation trends, and the potential impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on Pakistan’s economy. Speaking at a press conference, SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad said inflation had eased significantly during the first half of the fiscal year. Average inflation between July and February stood at 5.5%, remaining within the lower end of the central bank’s target range. However, rising global oil prices, higher food costs, and increased shipping expenses triggered by tensions in the Middle East placed renewed pressure on prices in the following months. According to the central bank, inflation rose to 11.7% in May before easing slightly to 11.1% in June. The governor expressed optimism that inflation would begin to decline again from July, with a more noticeable improvement expected after September. For the current fiscal year, the SBP projects average inflation to remain close to 7%. The governor also highlighted improvements in Pakistan’s broader economic indicators. He noted that the country’s current account deficit narrowed significantly during the previous fiscal year to $139 million, while the current fiscal year’s deficit is expected to remain between zero and one percent of GDP. Strong remittance inflows have played a major role in supporting the external sector, with overseas Pakistanis expected to send around $44 billion this fiscal year, up from $41.6 billion in the previous year. The SBP also expects exports to improve gradually with government support, stronger performance from the information technology sector, and growth in food exports. While imports have increased, improved external financing has helped meet the country’s payment needs without creating excessive pressure on foreign exchange reserves. Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves are projected to remain around $20.2 billion by the end of the year, while the country is expected to meet its external debt obligations through a combination of repayments, refinancing arrangements, and continued financial inflows. The central bank reaffirmed that it will continue to monitor domestic and international economic developments before making any future changes to monetary policy.