In a pivotal session at the Sindh High Court, Deputy Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi helmed a two-member bench, addressing a petition challenging the practice of collecting fees in dollars from local students at Dow Medical College. The petitioner’s legal representative asserted that Dow International Medical College follows the same practice, burdening local students with exorbitant fees due to the escalating value of the dollar.
Curiously probing the university’s financial dynamics, the court engaged the Additional Advocate General, who clarified that the decision to charge fees in dollars rests with the autonomous university syndicate. The petitioner’s counsel highlighted that, when dollars aren’t utilized for payment, the university mandates fees based on the prevailing market rate of the dollar, compelling students to resort to the black market for currency exchange.
Delving deeper, the court questioned the petitioner’s lawyer about the composition of the student body, seeking to discern if international students played a role. The response unveiled that both local and international students coexist, yet the university enforces the same fee structure for all.
As the legal proceedings unfolded, the court issued a directive, summoning responses from Dow International Medical College, PMDC, and other stakeholders by November 27. This development marks a crucial juncture in the ongoing debate surrounding fee structures and currency policies, underscoring the court’s commitment to impartiality and justice.
