LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s cabinet has approved the new MDCAT [Medical and Dental College Admission Test] policy for medical and dental colleges in the public and private sectors.
The approval was granted by the provincial cabinet in a meeting chaired by the chief minister. However, the detailed points of the new MDCAT policy are yet to be surfaced.
The development comes as the MDCAT 2024 is set to take place on September 22 across Pakistan, including Punjab. The new policy will not affect this year’s test.
This year, a total of 174744 applications have been received from which after scrutiny PM&DC has finalised 167077 applications.
MDCAT is set to be conducted in at least 30 venues nationwide, including two international centers in Dubai and Riyadh.
On the other hand, CM Maryam has approved a new policy allowing housing loans based solely on property ownership documents and a copy of the national ID card, marking a first for Pakistan.
The cabinet meeting also saw the approval of three major projects: “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” (Our Roof, Our Home), the “Chief Minister Green Tractor Scheme,” and the “Children’s Heart Surgery Program.” Additionally, the cabinet has increased penalties for illegal weapons and kite flying, with enhanced imprisonment and fines.
Under the new housing loan policy, individuals will be able to secure a loan of up to Rs1.5 million with a repayment plan over nine years, requiring a monthly installment of Rs14,000. There will be no extra charges imposed on the borrowers.
Maryam Nawaz has instructed ministers to personally deliver the first installment of the housing loans. The Green Tractor Program, which will provide 9,500 tractors, has also been approved. Each tractor will come with a subsidy of Rs1 million for landowners with up to 50 acres. The program is set to start on September 20, with a lottery to be held on October 20.
