KOHAT, October 28, 2026 : Khyber Medical University (KMU), Peshawar has approached the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) over changes in the allocation of MBBS and BDS seats in public-sector medical and dental colleges across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, requesting that last year’s seat quotas be maintained in the interest of students.
In an official letter addressed to the PMDC president, KMU’s additional director of admissions highlighted changes in seat allocations for the 2026–27 academic session and urged the council to review the revised distribution to prevent adverse effects on students and the admission process.
The letter stated that KMU as the admitting university for public-sector medical and dental colleges in the province had initiated the admission process for the new academic session in accordance with the applicable PMDC rules and regulations.
According to the letter, the total number of MBBS seats has increased from 1,435 in the previous academic year to 1,450 in 2026–27. However, the university expressed concern over significant changes in the distribution of seats among individual institutions.
Bacha Khan Medical College (BKMC), Mardan, Saidu Medical College (SMC), Swat, and Gomal Medical College (GMC), Dera Ismail Khan have collectively received an increase of 120 MBBS seats, according to the figures cited in the correspondence. In contrast, other public-sector medical colleges have reportedly faced a combined reduction of 105 seats.
The institutions affected by the reported reductions include Khyber Medical College, Peshawar; Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad; Bannu Medical College, Bannu; Nowshera Medical College, Nowshera; Gajju Khan Medical College, Swabi; and KMU Institute of Medical Sciences.
The letter described the increase in seats at some institutions as an encouraging development but stressed that the accompanying reductions at other colleges warranted a review to ensure a fair and balanced distribution.
The university has also raised concerns over reductions in Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) seats at several institutions.
According to the figures provided, seats at Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar, have been reduced from 100 to 80, while those at the Ayub Dental Section, Abbottabad, and Bacha Khan Dental Section, Mardan have reportedly been cut from 55 to 25 each. KMU-Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) Kohat has also reportedly lost nine BDS seats.
KMU has urged the PMDC to maintain the previous year’s seat allocations and quotas, arguing that doing so would safeguard students’ interests and help ensure the smooth continuation of the admissions process.
Concerns have also emerged that changes in the distribution of seats could affect reserved-quota allocations at medical and dental colleges across the province, potentially creating additional difficulties for students seeking admission.
A meeting involving KMU, the PMDC and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department is expected to take place on Thursday to discuss the seat allocations, changes in quotas and possible measures to protect students’ interests.
The meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for the relevant authorities to review the revised allocations and consider whether adjustments are necessary.
