The Kabul Tribune (KT) — The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council said foreign students remain welcome to study medicine and dentistry in Pakistan but must meet academic, registration, documentation and immigration requirements, following criticism over a decision affecting Afghan medical students.
In a statement, the PM&DC said its regulatory
requirements apply equally to all foreign nationals and are not directed at any
particular nationality.
The council said more than 200 Afghan students had been
identified as studying medicine in Pakistan, but only 22 were currently
registered with the PM&DC. Of those, 14 had completed their degree programs
and eight were expected to graduate next year.
The PM&DC said completion of a medical degree does not
automatically give a foreign national the right to remain in Pakistan for
employment or medical practice. Those seeking to practice medicine in Pakistan
must meet applicable licensing and registration requirements, it said.
The council said verification of the remaining 176 Afghan
students was still underway and that the figure was subject to final
confirmation.
Students who are not registered with the PM&DC and lack
the required authorization under Pakistan’s regulatory framework cannot be
considered lawfully enrolled foreign medical students within the country’s
regulated medical education system, the council said.
The statement was issued after the PM&DC faced strong
criticism over its decision to expel Afghan students from institutions
regulated by the council.
The PM&DC rejected the suggestion that Pakistan had
imposed a nationality-based ban on medical education, saying the issue concerns
compliance with regulatory, documentation and immigration requirements.
“No foreign national can lawfully pursue medical education
in Pakistan outside the prescribed regulatory framework,” the council said,
adding that foreign nationals also cannot remain in the country without valid
immigration status.
The council said it is legally required to ensure that
medical and dental institutions and students operate within the applicable
legal and regulatory framework, regardless of nationality.
At the same time, the PM&DC said it recognized the
importance of treating affected students with dignity and ensuring that the
process is handled in an orderly and humane manner.
The council said affected students were being facilitated in
completing necessary formalities and making arrangements for their return in
accordance with government policy.
“Pakistan remains committed to its longstanding tradition of
educational cooperation and hospitality,” the PM&DC said, adding that
foreign students who meet the prescribed requirements remain welcome at
PM&DC-recognized medical and dental institutions.
