ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed Palestinian medical students who recently arrived in Pakistan from conflict-ridden Gaza to continue their studies, assuring them of support amid the ongoing Israeli aggression in the region.
Addressing a ceremony held for over 100 Palestinian students arriving here this month on fully-funded scholarships, the PM said: “Pakistan is your second home.”
This initiative, launched in response to the Gaza conflict, involves a collaboration between the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), Doctors of Rehman, Global Relief Trust, and the Al-Khidmat Foundation—a leading NGO.
In July, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had announced the provision of scholarships to over 100 Palestinian students to support their education in Pakistan.
“Our hearts are with you, our homes are open, and our institutions are ready to assist you,” said the prime minister Sharif. “What we offer is a gesture of solidarity, not a favour, and we are committed to making your stay as comfortable as possible,” he added.
Sharif expressed disappointment over the global silence over Gaza's plight, saying that diplomatic statements and resolutions have done little to address the “heartbreaking” conflict. “Blood continues to flow in Gaza’s streets, while schools and hospitals are bombed, and the world looks on in silence,” he lamented.
He said Pakistan intends to invite more Palestinian students on fully-funded scholarships, directing prompt action in this regard. “Welcoming you is not a favour; it’s a duty we should have undertaken much earlier, though it’s never too late,” he noted.
A Palestinian student appreciated the Pakistani government, educational institutions, and NGOs for their assistance. “Thank you for treating us like your own children,” she said, calling for educational opportunities for Palestinian students in other disciplines as well.
“We carry Palestine in our hearts, and our goal is to use our education to support our people in the future,” she added
Since October 7, 2023, the Gaza conflict has claimed over 42,000 lives due to relentless bombardment, despite international calls for a ceasefire. Thousands of buildings, including medical facilities, have been destroyed, with severe damage to educational institutions and reports of targeted attacks on Palestinian academics.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and other organisations have documented extensive damage to Gaza’s healthcare system, including the destruction of Al-Shifa Hospital, which is now non-operational amid the ongoing hostilities.