Pakistan says Afghan students’ visa extension applications are being processed

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider has responded to concerns over the possible deportation of Afghan students enrolled in Pakistani educational institutions, saying their applications for visa extensions are currently being processed under the existing policy.

The spokesperson said the relevant authorities were examining requests submitted by Afghan students for extensions of their visas. He added that such applications were being dealt with according to the rules and policies currently in force.

Sajjad Haider clarified that the stay of foreign nationals in Pakistan is considered legal only when they possess valid passports and visas. Foreign nationals who remain in the country without valid travel documents or visas are liable to be deported under Pakistani law.

The Foreign Office statement comes amid growing concern over a Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) directive concerning Afghan nationals enrolled in medical and dental programmes in the country.

The PMDC has directed medical and dental institutions to comply with its existing policy regarding Afghan students. Under the directive, institutions are not permitted to facilitate new admissions, placements, transfers or migration of Afghan nationals during the current academic session.

The directive has also raised concerns among Afghan students who are already enrolled in Pakistani medical and dental institutions, particularly those who are close to completing their degrees.

King Edward Medical University in Lahore has reportedly asked Afghan MBBS students to complete the required formalities following the directive. Some of the affected students are said to be in their final year of medical education.

Human rights organisations have criticised the move and urged the government to consider the individual circumstances of students before taking any action that could disrupt their education.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has expressed concern that the issue could develop into a humanitarian problem for Afghan students whose education and future may be affected. It has called for the students’ cases to be reviewed individually and for their safety to be taken into account.

The commission has also urged the government to respect the principle of non-refoulement, particularly in cases where returning an individual to Afghanistan could expose them to serious risks.

Opposition politicians have also called for Afghan students to be allowed to complete their degrees. They have argued that students who entered Pakistan legally and have been studying in recognised institutions should not bear the consequences of strained relations between the two governments.

They also pointed out that many Afghan students pay regular tuition and other educational expenses and have built their academic careers in Pakistan.

The opposition has warned that forcing students to leave before completing their education could damage Pakistan’s reputation as a destination for international students.

The issue is particularly sensitive for students in the final stages of medical education, as interruptions during clinical training can create serious academic and professional difficulties.

Universities dealing with affected students are also expected to process academic records and other documents required for their future educational arrangements, subject to applicable regulations.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office has reiterated that the government is processing valid visa-extension applications according to the prevailing policy.

The authorities have maintained that foreign nationals must possess valid passports and visas to remain legally in Pakistan. Those staying without valid documentation may face deportation in accordance with the law.