The Jammu and Kashmir government has been asked to caution Kashmiri students against pursuing courses in Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) “because the Government of India doesn’t recognise these courses”.
A letter by the All India Council for Technical Education(AICTE), asking the Secretary Higher Education Department and GeneralAdministration Department that the students should refrain from enrolling inthese institutions, had been sent to the state government after cases of 25 suchstudents had reached the Indian High Commission in Islamabad for attestation.
“Ministry of External Affairs and AICTE has discussedthe cases of 25 students. It is requested to advise students studying in AICTEapproved institutions, state government technical colleges and Polytechniccolleges not to take admissions in PaK institutions for education,” the letterreads.
Last week, secretary University Grants Commission (UGC)Rajnish Jain has issued an advisory asking students to refrain from takingadmission in PaK educational institutions.
The UGC advisory states that PaK is an integral part of theUnion of India, and educational institutions there have neither beenestablished by the Government of India nor recognised by statuary authoritiessuch as UGC, AICTE and MCI.
“Therefore students are cautioned and advised against takingadmission in any college, university or technical institution in any territoryunder illegal occupation of Pakistan including the so called AJK andGilgitBaltistan which are not currently recognised in India,” read the contentsof the UGC advisory.On an average, about two-dozen Kashmiri studentsare granted admission in Pakistani medical colleges annually. Six per cent ofmedical seats are reserved for Kashmiri students in both PaK-based medicalcolleges affiliated with both the University of “Azad” Jammu and Kashmir andPakistan Medical and Dental Council.