Human Rights Watch Urges Pakistan to Halt Deportation of Afghan Medical Students

Human Rights Watch Urges Pakistan to Halt Deportation of Afghan Medical Students
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Human Rights Watch has called on Pakistan to reverse a decision to send Afghan medical and dental students back to Afghanistan, warning that the move could prevent dozens of students, especially women, from completing their university education.

The rights group said Pakistani authorities have instructed medical and dental institutions to begin procedures for Afghan students to leave the country, while also suspending new admissions for Afghan students.

The organization said King Edward Medical University in Lahore asked 20 Afghan students, including four women and seven final-year students, to report within 24 hours to complete departure procedures. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan estimates that around 100 Afghan medical and dental students in Lahore could be affected, including up to 40 women.

Human Rights Watch expressed particular concern for female students, saying their return to Afghanistan could effectively end their education due to restrictions imposed by the Taliban on women’s access to universities and medical training.

The group urged Pakistan to assess students’ protection needs individually, allow those already enrolled to complete their studies, and remove restrictions preventing Afghan students from continuing higher education.

The decision has drawn criticism from other rights organizations and Pakistani figures, who warned that deporting Afghan students could violate their right to education and have severe consequences, particularly for women seeking careers in healthcare.