The first batch of 27 Palestinian medical students from Gaza has arrived in Lahore, Pakistan, to continue their studies. The students traveled via an international airline from Istanbul and were escorted to a local hotel under tight security.
Prior to their arrival in Lahore, the Embassy of Pakistan in Cairo and representatives from Al-Khidmat Foundation facilitated their departure from Cairo International Airport. This group is part of a larger cohort of 192 Palestinian medical and dental students from war-torn Gaza who will pursue their education in various medical institutions across Pakistan.
Under the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the students will be able to continue their studies in Pakistani medical universities on fully funded programs. The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) had earlier granted special permission for these students to complete their education in Pakistan.
A spokesperson mentioned that this decision followed a request from the Pakistani High Commissioner in London. The PMDC president stated that around 100 medical and dental students from Gaza are expected to arrive in Pakistan and will be placed in medical and dental colleges, with a committee ensuring the smooth continuation of their education.
The initiative comes at a time when the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees reported that around 250,000 people had been affected by Israel’s recent evacuation orders in southern Gaza. UNRWA spokeswoman Louise Wateridge highlighted the growing number of displaced families. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 42,000 people, mostly civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
