Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has officially revived the quota in medical and engineering colleges for ex-FATA students, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to supporting the merged districts. This announcement was made during a high-level meeting with tribal elders at the Prime Minister’s House, where the premier pledged full support for restoring educational opportunities and strengthening public order in these historically neglected areas.
The revival of quota in medical and engineering colleges for ex-FATA students aims to ensure fair representation in professional education and address long-standing concerns of the tribal communities. The initiative was welcomed by the delegation led by JUI-F President Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who praised the move as a step toward inclusivity and regional development.
The prime minister emphasized that reviving the quota in medical and engineering colleges for ex-FATA students was part of a broader effort to uplift the merged districts, particularly in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. He acknowledged the sacrifices of tribal communities and security forces in fighting terrorism, reiterating that the restoration of peace and development in these areas remains a top priority.
Reaffirming his resolve, PM Shehbaz stated that the quota in medical and engineering colleges for ex-FATA students was necessary to bridge historical disparities and ensure equal access to quality education. He directed relevant federal departments to accelerate ongoing development programs, including upgrades to FATA University and police infrastructure in the merged districts.
During the session, Federal Minister for Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Border Affairs Engineer Amir Muqam was instructed to expand an existing committee under his leadership. This committee will now include tribal representation to ensure that the voices of local communities are reflected in policy decisions. The delegation expressed gratitude for their inclusion and the restoration of the quota in medical and engineering colleges for ex-FATA students.
Tribal elders also lauded the Pakistan Army’s handling of recent tensions with India, appreciating its strategic response and reaffirming their support for national unity. PM Shehbaz echoed the sentiment, stating that peace in the region could only be achieved through collective effort and political consensus.
In a separate meeting, Maulana Fazlur Rehman raised concerns regarding recent legislation affecting religious parties. PM Shehbaz assured him that all matters would be addressed through mutual consultation and national consensus, reinforcing the government’s commitment to unity and democratic dialogue.
The gathering concluded with assurances from the prime minister that such consultations with tribal leaders would continue. He emphasized that development, law enforcement, and education reforms, including the revived quota in medical and engineering colleges for ex-FATA student, will remain central to the federal government’s policy for the merged districts.
