The first batch of 27 Palestinian medical students arrived at Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore from Cairo on October 14, 2024, as part of a larger initiative to support their education. This initiative aims to provide fully funded scholarships for a total of 192 Palestinian students to continue their studies in Pakistani universities.
In July, Pakistan’s foreign ministry announced its commitment to offering scholarships to over 100 Palestinian students, allowing them to pursue their medical education in Pakistan amidst the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Since October 7, 2023, the conflict has claimed over 42,000 lives in Gaza due to continuous bombardment, despite calls for ceasefires and widespread protests globally.
The students will pursue medical and dental studies at various Pakistani institutions through programs funded by the Global Relief Trust, Doctors of Rahman, and the Al-Khidmat Foundation, a leading charity organization in Pakistan.
“Twenty-seven more Palestinian students from Gaza arrived in Pakistan to continue their education,” said a press release from the Al-Khidmat Foundation. Photos from the event showed the students posing with airport officials, who welcomed them with a large banner that read, “Welcome Palestinian Students.”
The successful departure of the students from Cairo International Airport was facilitated by representatives of the Al-Khidmat Foundation and the Pakistani embassy in Cairo.
As part of the first phase, a total of 192 Palestinian students will arrive in Pakistan on various flights to continue their medical and dental studies, the statement added.
International media outlets have reported significant destruction of healthcare and educational facilities in Gaza since last October. The World Health Organization and other agencies have documented severe damage, particularly to Al-Shifa Hospital, which has become non-functional due to the ongoing conflict. There are also widespread reports of extensive damage to educational institutions and targeted attacks on Palestinian academics.
