Tazeen Akhtar | Islamabad
Education and especially the higher education and Medical education are major sectors to enhance cooperation between Pakistan and the Central Asian Republics and Azerbaijan. These countries are the first choice of Pakistani students who can afford and intend to study abroad. Medican education attracts more Pakistani students to this region.
Ambassadors Azerbaijan Khazar Farhadov, , Kazakhstan Yerzhan Kistafin, Turkmenistan Atadjan Movlamov, Tajikistan Sharifzoda Yusuf Toir, and Uzbekistan Alishery Tukhtaev, visited Higher Education Commission of Pakistan and held extensive discussions with Chairman Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar.
The sides discussed the matters of mutual interest on strengthening academic collaboration and promoting cultural exchange between Pakistan’s higher education sector and the higher education institutions (HEIs) of the Central Asian States and Azerbaijan.
It was mutually agreed to exchange delegations to facilitate student admissions and to address, on a priority basis, the issues being faced by medical students. The meeting focused on joint research initiatives, scholarships, and institutional partnerships.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) will share a comprehensive plan with the ambassadors within the next 10 days to ensure that the program is finalized well in advance.
The sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening regional collaboration, knowledge sharing, and people-to-people ties through higher education.
Several hundred Pakistani students study in Baku, Azerbaijan, which is becoming a popular, affordable education hub offering English-taught, internationally recognized degrees. For 2026-27, the Azerbaijan government is offering fully funded Heydar Aliyev scholarships via the HEC, covering tuition and flights
Kazakhstan has emerged as an affordable, safe, and quality education destination for Pakistani students in 2026, with around 1,000 Pakistani students studying there, particularly in MBBS programs. Universities offer English-taught programs, and scholarships are available. The cost of living is relatively low, with shared apartments around $150 per month.
Educational cooperation between Pakistan and Turkmenistan is growing, focusing on bilateral scholarships, student exchanges, and joint research projects. The two nations are actively enhancing academic collaboration to promote cultural understanding.
A study visa is required, which mandates an official admission letter, a passport valid for 18 months, proof of funds, a medical certificate, and a visa invitation, usually processed in 4-6 weeks. Turkmenistan hosts 13 universities in major global rankings
Tajikistan has emerged as a popular destination for Pakistani students, particularly in medical fields, with around 450-500 students studying at institutions like Avicenna Tajik State Medical University (ATSMU) in Dushanbe. They are drawn by affordable tuition ($4,500-$5,000 annually), English-medium programs, and a safe, culturally familiar environment.
Uzbekistan has become a popular, affordable destination for Pakistani students, particularly for MBBS, with fees ranging from $1500–$2000 per semester. Key requirements include a 6-year education program (mostly in English/Russian), a one-year renewable visa, and mandatory PM&DC registration. Students are advised to register with the Pakistani Embassy.
Kyrgyzstan was missed in the meeting that as of mid-2024, was a popular destination for Pakistani students, with approximately 10,000 to 12,000 enrolled, primarily studying medicine. However, in May 2024, a significant, violent incident in Bishkek triggered mass evacuations of Pakistani students.
The ambassadors’ next visit in the same direction is expected to Pakistan Medical and Dental Council PMDC in Islamabad. Pakistani students studying in Central Asia face some issues at PMDC sometimes that can be discussed and settled down in the best interest of the students.
