KHYBER
Prolonged closure of Torkham border affected the studies of Pakistani medical students in Afghanistan, affecting students’ complaints.
Thirty to thirty five stranded students, present at the Pakistani side of Torkham for the last three days and were protesting on Thursday evening to attract the attention of the concerned high-up to address their issue.
They added that they had taken admission in Aryan Medical University of Jalalabad, Afghanistan to secure their future however due to closure of the border their movement to Afghanistan was restricted that disturbed their studies and exams schedule.
“Education should not suffer due to political or administrative issues,” one protester remarked, urging both Pakistani and Afghan authorities to intervene on humanitarian grounds.
Noor-ul-Haq Afridi, one of the affected students said “We are protesting to save our future. Our classes and crucial exams are at stake,”.
So far no response had been received from the Pakistani officials pertaining to their issue which was regretful, he remarked.
According to the protesting students, medical examinations for those studying in Jalalabad had been scheduled on April 4, while Pakistani students studying in Kabul had already missed a week of classes.
Besides academic losses, a visible number among them had come from financially struggling backgrounds and the border closure had not only caused mental stress but also increased travel and accommodation expenses, they opined.
The affected students appealed to officials of both countries to allow at least students movement across the border so they could attend their classes and take their exams on time.
Locals and members of the civil society also expressed concern over the matter and urged for urgent action to prevent long-term damage to students’ academic careers.
The protesters were carrying placards inscribed with slogans in favor of their demand, asking the Pak-Afghan border officials to let them go across the border to attend their studies.
Meanwhile repatriation of illegal Afghan families is in progress via Torkham border and as per the border security official in the last three days 4421 Afghan citizens have returned to their country.
