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Pakistan’s medical education regulator has suspended medical and dental education for Afghan students and ordered those currently studying in the country to return to Afghanistan.
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) said the directive would remain in effect until further notice at all public and private medical and dental institutions across the country.
According to an official letter issued by the PMDC and cited by Afghan news agency Khaama Press, the decision was taken based on a high-level national policy directive from the government and a resolution adopted at a PMDC meeting on July 30.
Under the new directive, admissions of Afghan students to medical and dental programmes have been suspended. Students already enrolled have been instructed to suspend their studies and return to Afghanistan.
Transfers of Afghan students from one Pakistani medical or dental institution to another during their studies have also been prohibited.
Meanwhile, students who have already completed their courses must have their graduation and departure from Pakistan properly documented and verified, the directive said.
All public and private medical and dental universities and colleges have been ordered to submit details of Afghan students enrolled at their institutions to the PMDC within three days.
The council warned that institutions that fail to provide the information on time, delay submission or conceal information will face strict legal action.
The PMDC is the statutory body responsible for regulating medical and dental education and professional registration in Pakistan.
The sudden move has raised concerns that Afghan students currently in Pakistan could lose access to medical and dental education.
