Pakistan Medical Council orders Afghan medical and dental students to return home
Islamabad — Pakistan’s Medical Council said in an order issued on 1 September 2026 that all Afghan students previously enrolled in medical or dental programmes at educational institutions in Pakistan must return to Afghanistan, and that admission of new students to these fields will be suspended until further notice.
According to a copy of the order published in the media, the council asked universities and institutions to facilitate the necessary administrative procedures for the departure of students and stressed that no new admissions, transfers or other educational facilities for Afghan nationals are permitted in the current session.
The move comes amid rising tensions between Pakistani official bodies and the authorities in power in Afghanistan. Earlier, restrictions such as non-renewal of visas and tighter border controls against Afghan nationals had been reported, and some judicial authorities had also commented on the continued presence of some students.
Legal experts and education activists warn that the sudden implementation of this decision could have serious legal, financial and educational consequences for students and their families, including disruption of studies, return costs and problems with credential equivalence. Afghan civil society and diplomatic bodies are expected to step in to pursue students’ rights and clarify the timeline and method of implementation for their return.
