Pakistani Student Group Challenges PMDC Decision on Afghan Students
In response to a recent decision by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba Pakistan said at a press conference that it has filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court on behalf of Afghan students affected by the decision.
The organization called for safeguarding the academic future of Afghan students and for a review of the decision.
Sahibzada Waseem Haider, a leader of Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba Pakistan, said: “I tell the Medical and Dental Council and the government of Pakistan that they are our guests. Under international law, it is not right to invite someone to study for four or five years and then expel them after four or five years.”
“We call on the government to resolve this issue. If it is not resolved, we have filed a judicial petition in court, and we will also submit legal petitions concerning Afghan students. We will defend students’ rights on every front.”
Zakim Khan Wazir, a member of the central committee of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), stressed that the future of Afghan students should not fall victim to discrimination. He said PTM lawyers in Islamabad have challenged the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council’s decision concerning Afghan students before the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court.
He added that a similar petition will also be filed for Afghan students at the Federal Medical College in Islamabad.
Zakim Khan Wazir wrote on X: “Pashtun Tahafuz Movement lawyers in Islamabad have challenged the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council’s inhumane decision against Afghan medical students before the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court. A similar petition will also be filed for Afghan students at the Federal Medical College in Islamabad.
“Education is a right; justice is also a right. The future of Afghan students must not become a victim of discrimination. Defend their rights and support their future.”
Meanwhile, Pakistani media reported that the Sindh High Court has suspended until September 29 the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council’s directive requiring Afghan students to return home before completing their studies.
Under the court order, authorities cannot take coercive action against 34 Afghan medical students in Karachi.
Pakistan began expelling Afghan doctors in the month of Saratan this year. In the latest case, Alliance Healthcare Services, which also operates the Northwest General Hospital and Research Centre in Peshawar, issued a letter suspending the employment of a number of Afghan doctors and healthcare workers for not having valid visas.
A statement by Alliance Healthcare Services said: “All Afghan nationals currently working with this company or its affiliated companies who do not possess a valid visa are required to immediately cease their duties. They may resume their duties only after submitting valid visa documents and having them verified.”
Hemat Ali Fayyaz, a final-year medical student in Islamabad, said: “Students in Pakistan are facing various problems despite having legal documents and visas. So far, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council has not issued any official notification allowing all universities to let Afghan students return to their classes and resume their studies.”
Meanwhile, specialist doctors in Afghanistan stressed that political issues should be kept separate from medicine and education, calling on Pakistan to distinguish between these matters.
Dr. Mujtaba Sufi said: “It would be very good if the Islamic Emirate could facilitate the transfer of these students to India so they could continue their studies there. It is deeply inappropriate to expel a student who is in the final year of studies because of political problems.”
On Saratan 23, 1405, 13 Afghan doctors and one medical student were detained in Pakistan and transferred to a deportation center. The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council also issued orders on Asad 9 and again on Sunbula 10, 1405, directing Afghan medical and dental students to return home, prompting widespread reactions.
