Amnesty International calls Pakistan’s expulsion of Afghan students discriminatory
Amnesty International has described the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council’s decision to expel Afghan students as discriminatory and arbitrary, warning that the move will have grave consequences, especially for girls who were already denied access to education.
In a post on X on Tuesday, 17 September, the human rights group said the impact of the decision on female students is more severe because they have been unable to continue their education due to harassment by the Taliban administration.
Amnesty International also stressed that, under international human rights law, Pakistan is obliged to protect the right to education without discrimination. The organisation called on Pakistani authorities to reconsider the decision and adopt a humane and practical solution so that Afghan students, including girls, can complete their studies.
The response comes as the Pakistan Medical Council recently ordered Afghan students to leave the country. The council has also asked universities in Pakistan not to enrol Afghan nationals.
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council is the regulatory body for education and professional activity in the fields of medicine and dentistry in the country. The council’s latest decision could have a direct impact on the continuation of studies for some Afghan students who travelled to Pakistan to pursue their education.
