09/09/2026
The Progressive Students Federation (PrSF) Peshawar strongly condemns the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council's (PM&DC) decision, directing Afghan medical and dental students, already enrolled in Pakistani institutions, to return to Afghanistan and prohibiting further academic facilitation for Afghan nationals.
We reject such discriminatory policies. We believe education is a right and must not become a tool of exclusion based on nationality, cross-border relations etc. The decision raises serious concerns over Pakistan’s obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), particularly Articles 2(2) and 13, which protect non-discrimination and the right to education. It also raises concerns under the ICCPR and ICERD, to which Pakistan is a party.
Under Pakistan’s Constitution, Article 4 guarantees every person within Pakistan protection of law and treatment in accordance with law, while Articles 9 and 10-A protect life, liberty and due process. Any attempt to terminate students’ education and force their departure must therefore be subjected to lawful authority and due process.
Afghan students are not strangers in this society. Education is their right which should not come to an end because of their nationality. This decision carries serious implications for females, whom have been denied Higher education in Afghanistan under the recent Taliban's regime.
We demand the immediate withdrawal of this directive and call upon students, teachers, universities, lawyers and progressive forces to stand in solidarity with Afghan students.
