Pakistan orders medical institutions to expel Afghan students, halt fresh admissions

Pakistan has ordered medical institutions across the country to expel Afghan students and halt fresh admissions amid deteriorating ties between Islamabad and Kabul, a senior government official said on Wednesday (September 9, 2026).

The decision could affect hundreds of Afghan students pursuing undergraduate medical and dental programmes in Pakistan, including some nearing graduation.

In a directive issued to medical and dental institutions, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council has barred them from granting admission or placement to Afghan students during the current academic session, a senior Health Ministry official said.

Afghan students already enrolled in medical and dental programmes have also been directed to return to Afghanistan, he said.

The official said the decision was taken in view of deteriorating relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan and applied only to Afghan nationals and not students from other countries.