ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has granted special permission for medical and dental Palestinian students from war-torn Gaza to complete their studies in Pakistan.
According to a PMDC spokesperson, the decision was made following a request from the Pakistani High Commissioner in London.
In this regard, a dedicated committee has been established to oversee the education of these students, led by the President of PMDC. Representatives from the Ministries of Health and Foreign Affairs will also serve as members of the committee.
The PMDC president mentioned that approximately 100 medical and dental students from Gaza are expected to come to Pakistan, with an initial group of 20-30 students arriving soon. These students will be accommodated in Pakistani medical and dental colleges, and the committee will ensure their education progresses smoothly.
This approval follows concerns raised by a UN agency about the impact on Palestinians after Israel’s army issued evacuation orders for parts of southern Gaza.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education, approximately 620,000 students in the Gaza Strip remain unable to attend schools since Israel started bombing the besieged Palestinian enclave on October 7 last year so far left at least 8,672 Palestinian students dead and 14,583 others wounded.
Furthermore, the ministry stated that 497 teachers and administrators have also been killed, 3,402 injured, and over 109 arrested in the West Bank.
The education ministry also highlighted that 353 government schools, universities, and UNRWA facilities in Gaza have been bombed and vandalized, with 139 severely damaged and 93 completely destroyed. In the West Bank, 57 schools have been raided and vandalized.
