Second Task Force Meeting on Insuring Safety and Protection for Afghan Refugee Students in Balochistan 2025

The Second Task Force Meeting was held on 25 August 2025. The meeting brought together representatives from the Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees (CAR) Quetta, BUITEMS, Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University (SBKWU), University of Balochistan (UoB), University of Loralai (UoL), Balochistan University of Health and Medical Sciences (BUHMS), Society for Community Strengthening and Promotion of Education, Balochistan SCSPEB, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the Afghan Consulate.

The agenda focused on addressing the challenges faced by Afghan refugee students already enrolled in tertiary education institutions, as well as those aspiring to enroll. Key concerns highlighted included the current political climate and the legality of Proof of Registration (PoR) cards.

University representatives presented updates on the recommendations made during the first Task Force Meeting. These included:

Revision of admission forms to ensure inclusivity for refugees has been completed by BUITEMS.
Progress on reserved seats for Afghan students is still underway at BUITEMS and BUHMS.
A Zero/Foundational semester is going to be introduced at BUITEMS as a compulsory semester, in line with the recommendations of Task Force Meeting I.
Updated data on Afghan refugee students enrolled across departments, disaggregated by gender, has been compiled to support evidence-based policymaking for refugee student protection in Balochistan.

Mr. Saad Uddin, representative of the Afghan Consulate, emphasized the challenges of documentation and the lack of scholarship opportunities available to Afghan refugees compared to Afghan nationals in Pakistan.

Extensive discussions were held among representatives from universities, the Afghan Consulate, CAR, and UNHCR on how to ensure legal protection and support for Afghan refugee students amidst the ongoing crisis.

Key suggestions included:

Dr. Khalid Hafeez, Vice Chancellor BUITEMS, recommended that universities should not halt admissions or services for new Afghan refugee applicants. He also suggested that if the crisis escalates, currently enrolled Afghan refugees could be accommodated as international students but with domestic fee structures, enabling them to complete their education.
Dr. Rahila Umar, Vice Chancellor SBKWU, proposed the option of awarding associate degrees or diploma certificates to students who may be forced to discontinue their studies prematurely.
The Afghan Consulate suggested exploring distance learning opportunities for final-year or last-semester students who might face interruptions.

In conclusion, Dr. Khalid Hafeez, Vice Chancellor BUITEMS, announced that a formal letter would be submitted from his office to the Governor of Balochistan, requesting an extension of the legal stay of Afghan students enrolled in higher education until they complete their degrees.