First batch of 27 Palestinian medical students leave for Pakistan to continue studies 

This handout photo, taken and released by Pakistan embassy in Egypt, shows first group of Palestinian students departing for Pakistan, in Cairo on October 12, 2024. (Photo courtesy: @PakinEgypt)
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Updated 13 October 2024
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First batch of 27 Palestinian medical students leave for Pakistan to continue studies 

  • Batch is part of 192 Palestinian students who will continue fully funded studies in Pakistani universities
  • Israel’s bombardment of Gaza since October 2023 has dealt significant damage to its educational institutions

ISLAMABAD: The first batch of 27 Palestinian medical students left for Pakistan from Cairo on Sunday to continue their medical studies in the South Asian country, the Pakistani embassy in Egypt said in a statement. 
Pakistan’s foreign ministry announced in July that Islamabad will provide scholarships to over 100 Palestinian students so that they are able to continue their medical studies in Pakistan as Israel’s war wreaks havoc in the Middle East. 
Since Oct. 7, 2023, Israel has killed over 42,000 people in Gaza through relentless bombardment despite ceasefire calls and angry protests in several countries around the world. 
“Officials of Embassy of Pakistan in Cairo and representatives of Al-Khidmat Foundation facilitated the departure of the first batch of 27 Palestinian students from Cairo International Airport to Lahore today,” Pakistan’s Embassy in Cairo said. 
“This batch is part of 192 Palestinian medical students from Gaza who will continue their medical and dental studies in various medical institutes in Pakistan.”
The embassy said the Palestinian students would be facilitated to continue their studies in Pakistani medical universities on fully funded programs. 
“The initiative is being undertaken in collaboration with Global Relief Trust, Doctors of Rahman, and Al-Khidmat Foundation,” it concluded. 
Several international media outlets have reported significant destruction of hospitals and universities in Gaza since October last year. 
The World Health Organization and other sources have documented severe damage to the area’s health care facilities, including the largest hospital Al-Shifa, which has been rendered non-functional due to extensive damage in the ongoing conflict.
There have also been widespread reports of substantial damage to educational institutions along with reports of deliberate targeting of Palestinian academics.


Saudi Arabia condemns separatist attacks in Pakistan’s Balochistan

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Saudi Arabia condemns separatist attacks in Pakistan’s Balochistan

  • Kingdom says it stands with Pakistan as security forces kill 92 militants in counteroffensive
  • Attacks hit multiple districts including Quetta and Gwadar, killing civilians and security personnel

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia on Saturday condemned separatist attacks in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, expressing solidarity with Islamabad after a wave of coordinated violence killed civilians and security personnel across multiple districts.

In a statement cited by the Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, the Kingdom said it rejected violence in all its forms and stood with Pakistan as its security forces responded to the attacks.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia strongly condemns the attacks carried out by separatist elements in various areas of Pakistan’s Balochistan province,” he said in a social media message. “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia renews its firm position rejecting all acts of terrorism and extremism.”

Pakistan’s military said on Saturday its forces killed 92 militants, including three suicide bombers, while repelling coordinated attacks across the southwestern province, following assaults that targeted civilians and law enforcement personnel in several towns, including Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung and Kharan.

The military said 18 civilians, including women and children, were killed in attacks on laborer families in Gwadar and Kharan, while 15 security personnel died during clearance operations and armed standoffs.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry also conveyed condolences to the families of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, reaffirming its support for Pakistan’s efforts to safeguard stability and security.

Balochistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has faced a decades-long separatist insurgency marked by attacks on security forces, infrastructure projects and civilians, as Pakistan steps up counter-militancy operations in the region.