LAHORE, July 3: Punjab Education Minister Mian Imran Masood has ordered 10 per cent increase in the number of seats for FA, FSc in all the colleges in the provincial metropolis.

The minister has also ordered restoration of three per cent sports quota.

In order to double the opportunity of admission for students, he has granted permission to launch evening classes in all the colleges.

The minister issued these directions while chairing a meeting at Civil Secretariat committee room here on Thursday.

He said the local colleges had a capacity to admit 26,000 students whereas the private colleges had been denying admission to as many pupils.

The minister, while talking to reporters at the press club, revealed the three major decisions had been taken keeping in view the prevalent situation and complaints of parents.

The 10 per cent increase in seats would offer 2,650 more seats to boys and girls in the city colleges, he said, adding no additional financial burden would be laid for this on the government.

Mr Masood said the purpose of restoration of sports quota was to promote sports and develop a healthy society. He added that the principals of the colleges had been asked to ensure that only talented and eligible candidates got admission through this quota.

He directed special secretary higher education Nazir Saeed to take measures to improve the sports quota policy.

Punjab Education Secretary Khushnood Akhtar Lashari, DCO Capt Khalid Sultan, DPI colleges Prof Dr Imtiaz Ahmad Cheema, EDO Dr Asghar Chaudhry and principals of 40 colleges attended the meeting.