LAHORE: Principals of private medical colleges across Punjab have requested an extension until Feb 28 to complete admissions against vacant MBBS seats.

They also agreed to grant full fee refunds to students who withdrew their admissions by March 31, following a consultative meeting held at the University of Health Sciences (UHS) on Friday.

Chaired by UHS Vice Chancellor Prof Ahsan Waheed Rathore, the meeting reviewed progress on admissions, the number of vacant seats, and issues faced by applicants. Participants were informed that colleges had earlier been given a Feb 13 deadline to fill vacant seats, but some institutions still had unfilled slots after that date.

After deliberations, it was agreed to recommend extension in admissions completion deadline for private medical colleges across Punjab to Feb 28. The proposal will be presented to the Provincial Admission Committee (PAC) for approval. This follows a recent extension in the overall admissions schedule announced by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council.

The meeting also decided that candidates withdrawing their admission by March 31 would be entitled to a full refund without any deduction. It was further agreed that students already enrolled who wish to transfer to another college must obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from their current institution. Colleges have been directed not to refuse issuance of NOCs until Feb 24.

Officials said that, subject to PAC approval, private medical colleges would complete admissions against vacant seats between Feb 24 and Feb 28, adding that no further extension would be granted.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2026