The Prime Minister’s Office of Pakistan has issued a comprehensive new regulatory advisory governing Afghan medical students, graduates, and healthcare practitioners residing in the country. Under the updated framework, only undergraduate medical students enrolled through officially recognized, government-sponsored initiatives—specifically the Pakistan Technical Assistance Programme (PTAB) and the Higher Education Commission’s Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships—are permitted to continue their education.
This conditional exemption requires eligible students to hold valid legal visas, satisfy refugee documentation criteria, and secure formal security clearance from the Ministry of Interior. Furthermore, educational institutions have been instructed to submit verified registration data and confirmation letters for all compliant Afghan students to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC).
Conversely, the directive mandates that all unregistered students, graduates awaiting house jobs following MBBS or BDS completion, and those lacking proper legal standing must depart Pakistan. The ruling also applies to Afghan doctors engaged in specialized postgraduate programs—including FCPS, MCPS, MD, and MS training—as well as those employed across public and private medical facilities. Additionally, no new admissions will be granted to Afghan nationals outside the parameters of newly approved state policy.
Federal authorities emphasize that tightening oversight on foreign nationals in sensitive sectors like healthcare is vital for national security and regulatory compliance. Legal experts and security analysts note that systematic documentation ensures transparency while addressing broader challenges associated with unverified residency and state border management.
As universities enforce the registration cutoff timelines, the measures underscore Islamabad’s firm resolve to regulate educational and professional sectors in alignment with strict national security and immigration frameworks.