Over 200 Afghan medical students identified in Pakistan, PMDC says only 22 are registered

ISLAMABAD: More than 200 Afghan medical students have been identified in Pakistan, but only 22 are currently registered with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), the regulatory body has said, putting the spotlight on student registration, documentation and licensing requirements for foreign medical students.

Of the 22 students registered with the PMDC, 14 have completed their medical degrees, while the remaining eight are expected to graduate next year, according to the council.

The status of the other 176 Afghan medical students is being verified and reviewed under the applicable regulatory requirements, making their documentation and registration status the key focus of the ongoing process.

PMDC says nationality is not a barrier to medical education

The PMDC clarified that there is no nationality-based restriction on foreign students seeking medical education in Pakistan.

However, foreign students are required to fulfil the applicable requirements relating to education, registration, documentation and immigration, the council said.

The clarification is significant because it separates a student's nationality from the regulatory conditions governing medical education and subsequent professional practice in Pakistan.

Foreign students may pursue medical education in the country, but their academic enrolment and professional status remain subject to the relevant regulatory and legal requirements.

176 students remain under verification and review

The PMDC said the status of the remaining 176 students has not yet been conclusively determined and is being verified and reviewed in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.

This does not mean that the 176 students have been found to have violated any regulatory requirement; the PMDC said their status is still being verified and reviewed. The council's position is that their individual status is still being examined.

The distinction is important as authorities assess documentation, registration and other requirements applicable to foreign medical students.

Medical degree alone does not allow practice in Pakistan

The PMDC also drew a clear distinction between obtaining a medical degree and obtaining the legal right to practise medicine in Pakistan.

According to the council, completing a medical degree alone does not give a foreign graduate the right to stay, work or practise medicine in Pakistan.

Foreign medical graduates seeking to practise in the country must fulfil the relevant licensing and registration requirements, the PMDC said.

The regulatory position places professional licensing beyond the completion of academic studies, meaning a medical qualification by itself does not automatically confer permission to practise.

Authorities facilitating affected students

The authorities are facilitating the affected students in completing the required legal procedures and are making arrangements for their return in accordance with government policy, according to the PMDC.

The council's position indicates that the process involves both regulatory requirements governing medical education and the broader legal and immigration framework applicable to foreign nationals.

At the same time, the PMDC said there would be no compromise on educational standards, legal requirements or patient safety.

Registration remains central to medical education and practice

The development highlights the importance of maintaining accurate registration and documentation of medical students and graduates, particularly where foreign nationals are involved.

The PMDC maintains systems for student registration and for registration and licensing of doctors, reflecting the distinction between being enrolled in medical education and being authorised to practise medicine.

For the Afghan students identified in Pakistan, the immediate issue is therefore not nationality but whether the applicable educational, registration, documentation, immigration and professional licensing requirements have been met.

With 22 students already registered, 14 having completed their medical degrees and eight expected to graduate next year, the status of the remaining 176 students remains under review.

The PMDC has made clear that the process will continue within the applicable regulatory framework, while authorities facilitate the affected students in completing legal procedures and implementing the government's policy regarding their return.

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