In today’s world, preventing a student from continuing their education is not merely an interruption of an individual’s academic journey; rather, it creates an obstacle to that person’s future, the academic development of a society, and the human capital of the region. For this reason, Pakistan’s recent action against Afghan medical students is deeply regrettable and strongly condemnable.
The letter issued by the University of Health Sciences Lahore, based on the directive of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, which has suspended the admission of new Afghan students to medical and dental programs, transfers from one institution to another, and the provision of any educational-related facilities to Afghan nationals, is a matter of serious concern for those Afghan youths who have devoted several years of their lives to studying medicine. Even more concerning is the demand that Afghan students who are already enrolled in medical and dental programs in Pakistan return to Afghanistan.
We believe that education must not become a victim of political disagreements. If there are political and security problems between governments, their resolution should not be placed on the shoulders of students, professors, and academic institutions. Medical students are not political representatives of any country; they are pursuing knowledge, professional development, and the opportunity to serve the health needs of their people.
For an Afghan student who may have spent several years pursuing medical education, being suddenly expelled from a university means far more than simply leaving an institution. It creates serious challenges to their academic continuity, financial resources, mental well-being, and professional future. Medical education, in particular, is a field in which each stage is closely connected to the next, and an abrupt interruption of studies is not easy to compensate for.
Pakistan should seek solutions rather than contribute to the escalation of problems. Closing the doors to Afghan students further weakens the atmosphere of trust between the two countries and does not correspond with the spirit of the longstanding relations between the peoples of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, Zabihullah Mujahid, has also called on Pakistan to reconsider the decision and allow Afghan medical students to complete their remaining studies. At the very least, students who are already officially enrolled in educational programs in Pakistan should be given the opportunity to complete their studies. Allowing students to finish their education would not only serve their interests but would also constitute a responsible decision in accordance with Pakistan’s academic and humanitarian values.
At the same time, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Higher Education has announced that if Afghan medical students return to the country, it will provide them with opportunities to continue their remaining studies and will also create opportunities for professors to serve and pursue academic activities. This commitment is an important step toward mitigating the potential impact of this problem; however, preserving the quality and academic continuity of students’ education must remain a priority.
Afghanistan should not limit its response merely to increasing capacity to absorb these students. Rather, it should establish a clear and accessible mechanism for carefully evaluating their academic records, credits, practical training, and specialized stages of education, so that the time they have already invested in their studies is not wasted.
But most importantly, the issue of Afghan students must not be used as a tool of political pressure. Students are not responsible for the disagreements of politicians. Preventing a young person from pursuing education neither solves security problems nor resolves political disputes; on the contrary, it creates another cycle of mistrust and deprivation.
