PM slats global inaction on Gaza, vows full support for Palestinian students

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced that more Palestinian medical students will be provided free education at government expense in Pakistan.

He criticized the international community for failing to stop the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and to achieve a ceasefire.

Addressing a ceremony held in honour of Palestinian students currently studying in Pakistan’s medical universities and colleges, the premier expressed his commitment to providing maximum support to Palestinian students in Pakistan, announced that additional Palestinian students will receive free education at the government’s expense.

He said that the international community has completely failed to stop the genocide of Palestinians by Israeli forces in Gaza and has been unable to enforce a ceasefire.

He reiterated that the people of Pakistan stand with their Palestinian brothers and sisters during this difficult time.

The prime minister said that it was an honour to speak to the talented students from Gaza, emphasizing that Pakistan was their second home, and they are welcomed with open arms.

He expressed his awareness of the suffering Palestinians face, which is intensifying by the day, as Israeli forces continue their brutal assaults.

“Over 43,000 Palestinians have been martyred so far, including thousands of children who were killed in their mothers’ arms, and many cities have been destroyed,” he said.

The prime minister criticized the global community for only passing resolutions, making speeches, and giving empty promises, stating that neither the UN Security Council nor the International Court of Justice has taken any concrete action to stop the violence. He said that such destruction has never been witnessed before in history.

Also read: 27 more Palestinian medical students arrive in Pakistan

Prime Minister Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with Palestinians, stating, “You are our brothers and sisters. Our homes, our teachers —everything is at your service. We will do whatever is necessary for you during your time in Pakistan.”

He noted that despite speeches by world leaders at the UN General Assembly regarding the genocide of Palestinians, bloodshed continues in Gaza, and schools and hospitals are being targeted by bombings.

In his own address at the UN General Assembly, the prime minister highlighted the disparity between how global conflicts are resolved based on the interests of powerful nations, such as in East Timor and Sudan, while the Palestinian issue continues to be neglected.

He praised the resilience of the Palestinian people, calling their hopes and perseverance an inspiration to the world. He emphasized the urgent need to take action to save lives in Gaza and announced that philanthropists have supported the Gaza Outreach Program for Education.

He said that so far, 145 Palestinian students have arrived in Pakistan, and more will be welcomed and provided education in various cities.

“It is our responsibility to host them,” he said, adding that more Palestinian students will be offered free medical education at government expense.

He directed the foreign and health ministries to take immediate coordinated action to ensure this, without any delays.

Prime Minister’s Coordinator for National Health, Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath said that Palestinian students were being provided medical education in both private and public colleges and universities across the country.

He expressed gratitude to institutions like Al-Khidmat Foundation for their support. These students are receiving education in top medical institutions in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore to complete their interrupted studies due to the situation in Gaza, he said.

He assured that the government of Pakistan was providing all possible facilities to these students, who were in dire need of support during these difficult times.

HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed said that letters have been sent to public and private colleges to provide free medical education to Palestinian students.

So far, he said, 60 medical colleges have offered free education, with 24 students enrolled in Lahore and 121 in colleges in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

He praised the determination of the Palestinian students and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to providing them with every possible facility.

Palestinian students, Dr Lama and Dr Musarrat, who represented Palestinian medical students studying in Pakistan, expressed their gratitude.

They said, “It is not easy to witness our loved ones being martyred at the hands of Israeli forces.”

They thanked institutions like Al-Khidmat Foundation and others for supporting their education in Pakistan’s top medical institutions, and they hoped that more Palestinian students would have the opportunity to pursue education here.

They also thanked Pakistan for its unwavering support and assistance to Palestinians.