THIS is regarding the Medical Varsities Entrance Test.

Only to appear in the entrance test costs thousands of rupees. For this year, applying for DOW University for Health Sciences costs Rs twenty-five hundred.

The amount for applying to the Sindh Medical College is the same too. Lyari medical college charges rupees two thousand for the aforesaid test. If one wants to be considered for self-finance seats in Lyari medical college, he will pay an additional rupees two thousand. While the compulsory fee of rupees one thousand is to be paid to the National Testing Service (NTS), the test conducting body.

The situation was not so disturbing two years back. The Sindh medical college was part of the Dow University; now it is a separate body.

Lyari medical college was, and still is, affiliated with the Dow University. Only a single application form was submitted to get enrolled for the entrance test for the three institutions with a voucher of rupees twenty-five hundred. The fee of NTS was included in the amount. This policy changed last year to the disadvantage of the middle and lower classes students.

The middle and lower middle classes cannot afford Rs8,000 to join the race of competition keeping in view the very limited seats.

As a result, there will be an increase in terrorist and extortionist groups and activities.

Students should be encouraged to apply on the basis of merit free of cost. Urgent attention is necessary for a peaceful and prosperous Karachi.

MARYUM FIRDOUS Karachi