ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people in their pursuit of education, health, and a brighter future.
In a post on the social media platform X, he expressed his warm welcome to the first group of 27 Palestinian medical students from Gaza who arrived in Lahore, highlighting that their presence strengthens the ties of solidarity between the two nations.
The students traveled from Istanbul via an international airline and were placed under strict security at a local hotel upon their arrival. Their departure from Cairo International Airport was facilitated by the Pakistani Embassy in Cairo and representatives from the Al-Khidmat Foundation.
This group is part of a larger cohort of 192 Palestinian medical students from war-torn Gaza who will continue their medical and dental studies at various institutions in Pakistan. Under the directives of Prime Minister Sharif, these students will receive full support in their educational endeavors.
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) granted special permission for the Gaza students to pursue their studies in Pakistan, following a request from the Pakistani High Commissioner in London. According to the PMDC president, around 100 medical and dental students from Gaza are expected to be welcomed in Pakistan, with the council ensuring their integration into local medical colleges to facilitate the completion of their education.
This initiative comes in the context of a worsening humanitarian crisis, with the UN agency for Palestinian refugees estimating that a quarter of a million people have been impacted by Israel’s recent evacuation orders in southern Gaza. UNRWA spokeswoman Louise Wateridge reported that families are hastily packing their belongings and attempting to leave the area, with expectations that these numbers will continue to rise.
The Israeli war on Gaza since October 7 2023 has so far killed at least 42,000 people, primarily civilians, said the health ministry in the territory.
