Pak students ask PM Imran Khan for assistance in returning to China

ISLAMABAD: Approximately 6,000 Pakistani students who went home from China in the middle of their studies two years ago due to the COVID-19 epidemic have been unable to continue their education in the neighbouring nation.

These pupils have now requested Prime Minister Imran Khan to intercede in the case so that they can continue their studies. Pakistan first chose not to repatriate students back from China, but protests by students' parents and relatives erupted. On social media, the students also expressed their worries and pains.

Although COVID-19 is now under control, around 6,000 students who registered with the Pakistani consulate in Beijing could not be repatriated to China.

According to Adam Ali, an engineering student at a Shanghai university, engineering, medicine, PhD, and other disciplines students returned to Pakistan in January 2020. At the time, Zulfiqar Bukhari, the special assistant to the prime minister for overseas Pakistanis, stated that all students would be returned to China in July 2020. We've been stuck in Pakistan for nearly two years, and China has yet to announce a policy regarding Pakistani students. "Our Chinese institutions have notified us that X Category (study) visas are not being provided and that they (universities) are awaiting notification from the Chinese government before issuing call letters." On the other hand, a local company in Pakistan that collects student passports for visas is refusing to accept passports for the X Category, citing a restriction. " We met with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on October 5 and again on November 3 this year, and he assured us that the situation would be addressed. However, after observing that no concrete steps are being taken to address our dilemma, we appeal to Prime Minister Imran Khan to assist us and ensure our future, "he stated.