LAHORE(The COW News Ditial ) The Lahore High Court has barred medical colleges across Punjab from expelling Afghan students or cancelling their examination papers, providing temporary relief to more than 30 students affected by recent regulatory measures.
Justice Khalid Ishaq heard petitions filed by Afghan medical students challenging actions taken by medical colleges following directions issued by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC).
During the hearing, the court expressed concern over the impact of removing students who had already spent several years pursuing medical education in Pakistan. Justice Ishaq questioned the decision to send the students back after they had invested significant time in their studies.
The judge observed that the students should have been given an opportunity to present their position before any action was taken against them. The court also questioned the circumstances under which the students had initially been admitted and granted education-related visas.
The PMDC counsel told the court that several Afghan students did not currently possess valid visas and argued that remaining in a country without valid immigration documents was not permissible under established international practice.
The court acknowledged that valid visas were required but questioned why education visas had been issued to the students when they were admitted to medical colleges. Justice Ishaq indicated that immigration concerns should not result in the students losing years of medical education.
The PMDC representative also raised concerns related to state security. However, the court rejected the argument in the context presented during the hearing and made it clear that medical colleges should not take punitive action against the students while the matter remains before the court.
The Lahore High Court specifically directed that no medical college in Punjab should expel the affected Afghan students or cancel their examination papers.
The petitions stated that medical colleges had taken action against Afghan students following instructions attributed to the PMDC. The students sought judicial intervention to protect their academic careers and allow them to continue their medical education.
The court has adjourned further proceedings until September 18. Until then, the order provides a temporary safeguard for the affected students and prevents medical colleges from taking further action against them.
The case highlights the complex intersection of immigration requirements, education policy and the academic rights of foreign students studying in Pakistan.
