A number of Afghan students in Pakistan say that, despite orders issued by the high courts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh to halt their deportation, some universities and medical colleges are still preventing them from attending classes and continuing their studies.
A representative of the Afghan students said that some medical colleges have made students’ attendance conditional on receiving an official letter from the Pakistan Medical Council. According to him, students whose visas expire in December, January, and February are also at risk of having their visas denied renewal.
Dr. Dalawar Khan, an Afghan student at Jinnah Medical College in Bahawalpur, said that no uniform directive has yet been issued regarding the continuation of Afghan students’ education. He added that at some educational institutions, including Nishtar Medical College in Multan, students’ attendance is being recorded, while at Jinnah Medical College, their attendance is neither being registered nor are they being provided with regular access to education.
Sediq Shariati, head of the Afghan Students’ Association in Pakistan, also said that following the court rulings, several universities in Peshawar, Karachi, and Lahore have allowed Afghan students to return to their classes. However, he said the situation is not the same across all educational institutions.
According to Shariati, the Sindh High Court has also granted approximately 20 Afghan students temporary permission to continue their studies and remain in the country at two universities. Meanwhile, in the case of students at another university, an order has been issued requiring them to leave Pakistan.
Student representatives are calling on Pakistani authorities to issue a uniform directive to all universities so that students—particularly those in the final years of medical programs—can complete their studies and examinations. They say the uncertainty surrounding visa renewals and the continuation of their education has created significant psychological pressure and widespread concern among students.
Writer:Roya Stanikzai
