Three Pakistani students have committed suicide after the Australian Education Minister announced that Pakistani students will not be allowed in the country due to COVID-19.
A National Assembly panel confirmed the news and deduced that the students faced educational problems.
The National Assembly’s standing committee on overseas Pakistani students urged foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi to discuss this unfortunate topic with his Australian counterpart Marise Payne.
The committee heard a student named Usman who highlighted the issues overseas Pakistanis are facing and talked about how he is affected by the situation in Australia.
He mentioned that at least 5,000 Pakistanis on visit visas has been stranded in the country ever since Australia closed its borders.
Students have invested billions into their education in Australia, and this announcement is detrimental for them.
Foreign Office officials claimed that the issue had been raised with Australian officials.
A virtual meeting was held between the Pakistan High Commission and Federal Minister for Education and Youth of Australia Alan Tudge on 4th August. The problems faced by Pakistani students were raised and the education minister agreed to take action on the matter.
He said that international students would be allowed to enter once about 70% of the population is vaccinated.
President of the Council of International Students Australia Belle Lim was not pleased with the government’s decision.
“There are students that have paid a full tuition fee and they weren’t able to access the education which is completely unfair,” she said.
“It’s frustrating to deal with the government’s direction as they don’t see international students in Australia as rightful residents in this country. We deserve a right to receive the education we paid for.”
“I don’t think students will be able to come into Australia, at least for another year until the borders completely open.”
Hopes remain that Pakistani students will find some solace amid all this chaos.
