KARACHI, Oct 29: The number of seats reserved for candidates from rural parts of the province in the MBBS programme of the newly established Sindh Jinnah Medical University has been increased from 23 to 46, it emerged on Monday.

This has been done after reducing the number of seats reserved for students from South Asian Association for Regional Association (Saarc) countries.

Many such seats remained vacant mainly due to the law and order situation in Karachi.

The candidates who have been sent letters following their selection through an entry test will be given admission in the MBBS programme of the SJMU.

Speaking to Dawn, SJMU vice chancellor Dr Tariq Rafi said that admissions at the university began after the Dow University of Health Sciences had selected students.

“There are total 228 seats. We call more students because many students might have already joined other medical colleges. The seats for the interior of Sindh has been increased from 23 to 46 while the seats for Karachi students will remain the same,” he said, adding this was done after reducing the number seats reserved for students from Saarc countries.

“We had 32 seats for Saarc students that have been reduced to 18 now. Most of the seats for Saarc students remained vacant as students are found to be reluctant to come to Karachi because of the law and order situation.”

In reply to a question about funds, he said that the governor had approved Rs50 million funds for the university whereas the chief minister had approved Rs50 million as seed money and Rs250 million as budgetary allocation.

Before giving admissions to 37 candidates who applied for a self-finance scheme, the university will give admissions to the students selected on merit.