14/03/2026
Students from Balochistan and Former FATA Protest Against Reduction of Medical Seats
Islamabad — Students from Balochistan and the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) have gathered outside the Higher Education Commission (HEC) office in Islamabad to protest against the drastic reduction in medical seats allocated to them.
For many years, 333 medical seats were reserved for students from these underdeveloped and historically marginalized regions. However, this year the Higher Education Commission has reduced the number of seats to only 121, creating serious concerns among students and their families.
The protesting students say that this decision is unfair and discriminatory, as it deprives talented students from Balochistan and FATA of opportunities to pursue medical education. They believe that the previous policy of 333 seats helped many students from remote areas become doctors and serve their communities, where healthcare facilities are already limited.
Students are demanding that the government and the Higher Education Commission immediately restore the previous quota of 333 seats and ensure that educational opportunities for students from these regions are protected.
The protesters have also urged policymakers, parliamentarians, and civil society to take notice of the situation and support their demand for justice and equal access to education.
The students have made it clear that their protest will remain peaceful and constitutional, but they will continue their demonstration until their voices are heard and the old policy is restored.
Education is a fundamental right, and students from Balochistan and FATA deserve the same opportunities as students from other parts of the country.
