By Zahid Shah

ISLAMABAD (TSAT) - Pakistan on Monday strongly reacted to the Indian government's decision to impose a ban on Kashmiri students from studying abroad.

In a statement, Pakistan Foreign Ministry deplored the decision and said the so-called "Public Notice" issued by the University Grants Commission of India and the All India Council for Technical Education, in which they advised the students not to seek higher education in Pakistan and warned them of being denied employment in case they choose to do so is “deplorable.”

“The tone of the “Public Notice” is not only threatening towards the students it also reeks of tyrannical authoritarianism,” said the ministry.

“It is regrettable that driven by its incurable obsession with Pakistan, the Government of India is unabashedly coercing the students in order to deter them from pursuing quality education of their choice, its added,

Islamabad also sought clarification from the Indian government and said they have reserved the right to take appropriate measures in response to this openly discriminatory and inexplicable action by India.

“If anything, the contents of the "Public Notice" have further exposed the BJP-RSS combine's deep-seated ideological animus and chronic hostility towards Pakistan. It is deplorable that as part of its mission “Hindu Rashtra,” the Indian government has resorted to such moves in order to stoke hyper-nationalism in the country,” read the statement.

On Friday, the Indian University Grants Commission (UGC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) issued an advisory and banned Indian students to study in Pakistani education institutions. 

"Any Indian national/Overseas Citizen of India who intends to take admission in any degree (of) college/educational institution of Pakistan shall not be eligible for seeking employment or higher studies in India on the basis of such educational qualifications (in any subject) acquired in Pakistan," the advisory said.

Currently, most Kashmiri students opt to study in Pakistan because they couldn’t stay in Indian education institutions due to attacks from RSS-affiliated militants groups and discrimination against them from colleagues and university administration. 

Pakistan offered them scholarships and all facilities to get a good education in the country's top colleagues and universities. 

According to local Pakistani authorities, currently, over 500 students are enrolled in different disciplines including medical and engineering.