‘Complete despair’: Afghan female medical students fear being sent home from Pakistan

Pakistan has seen a significant movement of Afghan individuals since 2023, with hundreds of thousands facing deportation and over two million having departed the country. This large-scale population shift has created an atmosphere of profound uncertainty and anxiety within the Afghan community residing in Pakistan. Amidst this backdrop, a specific group experiencing heightened apprehension comprises Afghan female medical students, who are reportedly living in complete despair. Their fear stems from the possibility of being sent back to Afghanistan, a prospect intensified by the ongoing widespread deportations and the extensive exodus of their compatriots. The prevailing climate of uncertainty underscores the profound challenges and emotional toll on these students as they contemplate an uncertain future.