Letter: Gilgit-Baltistan’s reserved seats at Sargodha University

Some reserved seats for the students of Gilgit Baltistan have now been closed in different government universities in Punjab. I came to know this recently after visiting when I was trying to get admission for two of my colleagues in the University of Sargodha, against the reserved seats for Gilgit Baltistan.

The website of Education Department of Gilgit Baltistan is still showing that the seats are reserved for students of Gilgit Baltistan but when asked the university administration of Sargodha said that the seats have been closed and people get admission on “open merit”.

I would like to remind it here that the CM of Punjab had announced a year before that the seats for medical students in different universities of Punjab will be doubled but still there has been no any progress in this regard also. Instead, the reserved seats for GB students are also being closed, which is a matter of great concern for the students community of Gilgit-Baltistan.

A very large number of students from Gilgit-Baltistan are studying in Punjab and other provinces. Decreasing the opportunity for admissions in this scenario would prove t be disastrous for many students.

The GB Education Ministry and Department of Education, as well as the Chief Minister, should take notice of the situation and make efforts to resolve the issues, by creating more opportunities for the students.

I would also request CM Punjab to take notice of the closure of these seats in the universities of Punjab and also ensure the promise made by him in doubling the medical seats in different universities in Punjab. All those seats should be restored which have been closed for the GB students. I do hope that this issue will reach the authoritative persons and positive step will be taken to restore the reserved seats for GB.

Tariq Rahim Baig
Sargodha