ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) on Thursday clarified that there was no nationality-based ban on medical education in Pakistan, saying its ongoing review of Afghan medical students was based on regulatory compliance and documentation rather than discrimination against any particular nationality.

In a statement, the PM&DC said Pakistan continued to welcome foreign nationals seeking medical and dental education in accordance with its regulatory framework and government policies.

The council said foreign students who fulfilled the prescribed academic, registration, documentation and immigration requirements were facilitated through the established system.

According to the PM&DC, a verification and regulatory review found that more than 200 Afghan students were studying medicine in Pakistan, while only 22 were currently registered with the council.

“Of these, 14 had completed their degree programmes while eight were expected to graduate next year,” the council said.

The PM&DC clarified that completion of a medical degree alone did not grant a foreign national the right to remain in Pakistan for employment or medical practice.

It said those seeking to practise medicine in Pakistan were required to fulfil all applicable licensing and registration requirements.

The council added that verification of the remaining 176 students was still underway and that the figure was therefore subject to final confirmation.

PM&DC said students who were not registered with the council and did not have the requisite permission under the applicable framework could not be considered lawfully enrolled foreign medical students within Pakistan’s regulated medical education system.

It said actions taken by the council were based on documented status, applicable rules and directions issued by competent authorities.

“It is important to clarify that there is no nationality-based prohibition on medical education in Pakistan,” the statement said, adding that the issue concerned compliance with regulatory, documentation and immigration requirements.

The council said no foreign national could lawfully pursue medical education in Pakistan outside the prescribed regulatory framework and that foreign nationals were also required to maintain valid immigration status.

PM&DC said it recognised the importance of treating students with dignity and ensuring that the process was handled in an orderly and humane manner.

It added that students affected by the current decision were being facilitated in completing necessary formalities and making arrangements for their return in accordance with applicable government policy.

The council reaffirmed Pakistan’s longstanding tradition of educational cooperation and hospitality, saying foreign students who met the prescribed requirements remained welcome at PM&DC-recognised medical and dental institutions.

It said it would continue to facilitate legitimate foreign medical education while ensuring that regulatory standards, legal requirements and patient safety were not compromised.