Pakistan orders Afghan doctors and medical students to leave by October 10

According to an official letter from the office of Pakistan’s prime minister, Afghan doctors undertaking specialised training in the country or working in health centres have been ordered to leave Pakistan by Saturday, October 10.

The letter, of which Tolou News said it had obtained a copy, states that all Afghan doctors with private clinics are also covered by the directive and must leave the country by the specified date.

Under the decision, Afghan medical students who do not have legal documents, are not registered with the relevant medical council, or have completed their medical and dental studies must also return to Afghanistan.

At the same time, students enrolled on official Pakistani government scholarships may continue their studies if they have a valid visa, legal documents and approval from the Ministry of Interior.

On October 7, Pakistan’s Medical and Dental Council also instructed universities to share passport, visa and academic status information on Afghan students within three working days. Under the directive, universities have been tasked with completing the registration process for eligible students by October 15 and providing a formal undertaking on implementing government guidelines.

It has also been said that, until further notice, the Pakistani government has restricted the admission of new Afghan students to medical and non-medical universities, although official documents refer to “exceptions” within the framework of government policy.

The documents do not specify how many Afghan doctors and students will be affected by the decision.