Punjab Police Detains Afghan Doctor and Medical Students Amid Visa Controversy

The police in Punjab, Pakistan, have taken a controversial step by detaining an Afghan doctor along with at least ten medical students, citing the expiration of their residency visa as the reason for the arrests.

Unprecedented Arrests of Elite Medical Personnel in Punjab

A fresh wave of alarming detentions is sweeping through Pakistan, targeting Afghan nationals and migrants, particularly in the field of medical education. Reports indicate that the authorities in Punjab have executed a coordinated operation, apprehending an Afghan doctor and at least ten students pursuing higher medical studies at educational hospitals and universities in the province.

Details on the Arrests from Universities and Hospitals

According to accurate information released, ten of those detained were completing their specialized training and practical courses at the renowned Quaid-e-Azam University of Medical Sciences and the Bahawalpur Teaching Hospital. They were arrested on-site at their places of study and work. Simultaneously, Dr. Noorullah, a seasoned Afghan physician practicing at the Sahiwal Teaching Hospital in southeastern Punjab, was also taken into custody by the police.

Silence from Islamabad Officials and Visa Expiration Hypothesis

Despite widespread media coverage of the incident, official representatives and diplomatic entities in Pakistan have yet to provide any explanations or formal statements regarding the reasons behind these arrests. However, sources close to the detained individuals have confirmed that the primary motive for the police action appears to be the expiration of their residency visas. These series of detentions come at a time when there has been a significant uptick in forced expulsions, legal actions, and crackdowns against Afghan refugees and nationals in various cities across Pakistan, drawing sharp criticism from human rights organizations. For more insights, see the [Surge in Afghan Expulsions from Pakistan Raises Humanitarian Concerns](https://ariananews.co/en/news/surge-in-afghan-expulsions-from-pakistan-raises-humanitarian-concerns/) and [Escalating Deportations of Afghan Nationals from Pakistan: A Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds](https://ariananews.co/en/news/escalating-deportations-of-afghan-nationals-from-pakistan-a-humanitarian-crisis-unfolds/).