Islamabad : In a big relief , the office of the Prime Minister (PMO) has issued new directives for the Afghan medical students and doctors. “All undergraduate Afghan Medical Students studying in any Medical College or University of Pakistan on a Government of Pakistan sponsored or assisted programs such as PTABand HEC Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships or other duly approved Government of Pakistan Programs may be allowed to continue their studies provided they have valid visa and they fulfill all immigration requirements including clearance from the Ministry of Interior for studying in Pakistan,” according to the directives.
All Medical Colleges and Universities shall ensure compliance of requisite requirements/formalities in this regard and getall Afghan Medical Students registered with PMDC by 15th October 2026. The medical Colleges/Universities shall also submit a certificate to this effect in accordance with the format to be shared by the PM&DC along with the registration status of each student It shall be ensured that all Unregistered Afghan Students and the ones who have completedMBBS or BDS Degrees (House Jobs will not be offered) or those who are still studying withoutfulfilling all legal formalities go back to Afghanistan by 10 October, 2026. Furthermore, all Afghan Students who have not been granted admission before 1 st September, 2026 shall also go back by 10th October, 2026. No Afghan Student will be granted admission in any Medical or Non-Medical College or University in future till further orders except in accordance with the Policy of the Government of Pakistan.
All Afghan Doctors, undergoing any type of Post Graduate Training in any Program like FCPS MCPS MD MS etc in any Pakistani Hospital or Institution or doing any job or private practice through a Clinic in any part of the country must leave Pakistan by 10th October, 2026.”
Earlier , Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) had issued a directive to all medical and dental colleges to deport Afghan students studying medicine in Pakistan forthwith.
PM&DC directive had received sharp reaction not from Afghan nationals living in Pakistan for decades , but also from local community , which believed the change in policy towards Afghan medical students studying in Pakistan was a big blunder and it could devastate the future of hundreds of Afghan students who are getting medical education in Pakistan.
PM&DC had also faced embarrassment before the court of law last month when it could not convince a Lahore High Court (LHC) judge on the reason for directing medical institutions to deport all Afghan students who are studying medical subject in Pakistan.
PMO new directive shows change in the policy towards Afghan students who are studying medicine in Pakistan and dreaming a bright future as a doctor. It is going to bring big relief to Afghan students studying in Pakistan.
