Reserved Seats

The scope of reserved seats is vast and sensitive as well. Awareness of a reserved seat can make a student’s future bright while lack of information may spoil. Many reserved seats are not being utilized due to the lack of information. So the objectives of the reserved seats have not been achieved hence, the concerned quarters fail to avail the opportunity. 

It is a birthright of a student, who deservers, to utilize these seats without any kind of discrimination e.g. personal background, cast etc. Therefore, they should get themselves informed about the all types of available seats and to apply on these seats.

Reserved Seats and Open Merit.

Any student can apply against Open merit seats, who fulfills the requirements. Some institutions have distributed these seats on districts and region basis, which is determined by domicile certificate. It may vary slightly from institution to institution. Open merit fee in Public sector should be nominal but some of the institutions have increased the amount due to financial constraints and it still does not exceed from the range of common man. 

All seats other than open merit are called reserved seats. But the system of distribution, nomination, and the availing process can differ. There are about 25 different categories of reserved seats in Pakistan other than various schemes. e.g. Districts, Urban and Rural, Navy, Air Force, Overseas Pakistanis, Foreign National student, Disables, Hifaz-e-Qur’an, Sports, Teacher’s Child, Alumni, Engineer’s and Doctor’s children, FATA, FANA, Azad Kashmir, Provinces, International seats for cordial relations, Female students, Federal Capital etc.

A Brief analysis of reserved seats:

Every student can apply against open merit seats. Reserved seats are available for almost every region and society of the country. It is quite possible that a student may not get benefits due to the lack of information.

Collection of these scattered seats from various institutions was not an easy task at all. But Eduvision Carrier Planning Educational Services has tried to present them in a useful way. As the report reveals hundreds of reserved seats available in professional subjects, computer sciences, agriculture, Engineering, Medical, and also there are many seats for overseas Pakistanis in Pakistani educational institutions. Some seats are also available for Pakistanis having foreign nationality and for foreign students under some schemes. 352 seats are reserved under Pakistan Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) and 304 under self-finance scheme.

Application Process:

Two questions are very important during the process of getting information for reserve seats. First how many seats are available and where? Second: what is the application process? Application process is different for different types of seats. Applications may be submitted directly to the institution for some reserved seats while for other applications are submitted to nominating authorities, boards and ministries. This is worth noting that the institution’s deadlines may be different than those of nominating authorities, boards and ministries. So one must seek satisfactory answers to the questions like when, where and how?

Opportunities versus Expenses:

Usually reserved seats cost more than open merit seats. So the question is what to do in this situation? So student must not hesitate to apply against any available seat in order to get admission. Situations vary with the time and it becomes easy for the students and parents to decide as time passes on. Fee structure may be high but on the other hand opportunity is there. Second thing to be considered is that every institution offers financial assistance and scholarship and any student who fulfills the requirement can avail the opportunity.

A Brief Introduction of Different Schemes:

1. Pakistan Technical Assistance Program (PTAP)

Students from friendly countries and Pakistanis having foreign nationality who have completed their 12 year education outside Pakistan physically, can apply on these seats for Medical, Engineering, Dentistry and Pharmacy. Fee structure is usually as per local Pakistani students.

2. Self Financing Scheme for Foreign Nationality:

This scheme is also for the students from friendly countries and Pakistanis having foreign nationality. Seats are reserved in almost every institution under this scheme. Fee structure is relatively very high.

3. Self Finance scheme for local students:

This scheme is for local Pakistani students. Students admitted under this scheme have to pay Endowment Fund other than usual charges.

4. Cultural Exchange Program:

Seats are reserved for the students from friendly countries on reciprocal basis for the sake of bilateral relations. These seats are available in almost every discipline other than Medical, Dentistry, Engineering and Pharmacy under this scheme. Fee structure is usually as per local Pakistani student. Government of Pakistan also awards scholarships to the students admitted under this scheme.