Calls grow for PMDC to reconsider decision on Afghan medical students

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has directed Afghan medical and dental students already enrolled in institutions in Pakistan to return to Afghanistan, prompting criticism from civil society and rights organisation.

The PMDC has ordered medical colleges to complete the necessary administrative formalities for the students’ return and directed relevant authorities to issue the required no-objection certificates (NOCs).

The council has also barred the admission of Afghan nationals to medical and dental programmes during the current academic session and prohibited their placement, transfer or migration to medical and dental institutions.

The PMDC instructed medical and dental institutions not to provide any form of facilitation to Afghan nationals and directed them to strictly comply with its previous instructions. Institutions that have not submitted compliance reports have been given three days to provide complete details.

The council warned that action could be taken against institutions that fail to comply with the directives, withhold information or provide unauthorised facilitation. Regulatory action may also be taken under the PMDC Act 2022 in case of violations.

The PMDC said its September 1 letter concerning Afghan students reiterated instructions issued on July 31.

Criticism on the decision

Former ambassador Mansoor Ahmad Khan also asked the PMDC to reconsider its decision on humanitarian grounds and in view of the relations between the peoples of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“I request @PMDC to reconsider its decision on Afghan students in medical colleges and universities on humanitarian grounds and civilizational relations between the peoples of the two countries,” Khan said.

I request @PMDC to reconsider its decision on Afghan students in medical colleges and universities on humanitarian grounds and civilizational relations between the peoples of the two countries. A more humane and practical approach can be to allow the students to complete their… pic.twitter.com/RxCT0LEGAg

— Mansoor Ahmad Khan (@ambmansoorkhan) September 8, 2026

He suggested allowing the students to complete their degrees before returning to Afghanistan.

“A more humane and practical approach can be to allow the students to complete their respective degrees and arrange their return to Afghanistan as soon as they complete their education,” he said.

Sharing Khan’s tweet, former senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed called for the decision to be withdrawn, describing it as “shortsighted” and “politically motivated”.

Yes, this is RIGHT demand: PMDC must revoke its shortsighted & politically-motivated decision to deprive Afghan students of their legitimate quest for Education which also negates Pakistan’s own track record of once being a model humanitarian host! Slamming doors is WRONG Policy! https://t.co/XIETftjZcV

— Mushahid Hussain Sayed (@Mushahid) September 8, 2026

“PMDC must revoke its shortsighted & politically-motivated decision to deprive Afghan students of their legitimate quest for Education which also negates Pakistan’s own track record of once being a model humanitarian host!” he said.

Amnesty International South Asia described the PMDC decision as “patently discriminatory and arbitrary in nature”, saying its consequences would be particularly severe for female Afghan students.

The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council's decision requiring Afghan medical students in Pakistan to return to Afghanistan is patently discriminatory and arbitrary in nature. The consequences of this decision are especially severe for female students, many of whom have already…

— Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office (@amnestysasia) September 8, 2026

The organisation said many Afghan women had already been denied access to higher education in Afghanistan amid what it described as the Taliban’s ongoing gender persecution.

“Many of these students will have devoted years studying medicine, only to see their education brought to an abrupt and unjustifiable end, with little prospect of being able to resume their studies elsewhere,” Amnesty International South Asia said.

It said Pakistan had obligations under international human rights law to uphold the right to education without discrimination based on national origin.

“Amnesty International urges the authorities to adopt a humane and practical solution that allows Afghan students, including women and girls, to complete their education,” it said.

Lawyer Moniza Kakar also criticised the decision, saying forcing Afghan medical students to abandon their education and return to Afghanistan was “cruel and deeply unjust”.

Forcing Afghan medical students to abandon their education and return to Afghanistan is cruel and deeply unjust. For female students,this decision may permanently destroy their dream of becoming doctors.PMDC must withdraw it & allow them to complete the degrees.#LetAfghansLearn pic.twitter.com/DrqSmkHs7u

— Moniza Kakar (@Moni_Kakar) September 8, 2026

“For female students, this decision may permanently destroy their dream of becoming doctors,” Kakar said, urging the PMDC to withdraw the decision and allow them to complete their degrees.