LHC Halts Expulsion of Afghan Students From Punjab Medical Colleges

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday stopped all medical colleges in Punjab from expelling Afghan medical students while hearing petitions against their removal.

Justice Khalid Ishaq heard petitions filed by more than 30 Afghan students who challenged their expulsion from medical colleges in the province.

During the hearing, the lawyer for the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) said the students did not have the required documents.

“The principle across the world is that you cannot stay without a valid visa,” the lawyer said.

Justice Ishaq questioned how the students were given education visas when they were admitted to medical colleges. He also questioned the decision to send them back after four years of education, saying they should have been given a chance to present their case.

The PM&DC lawyer argued that the matter involved state security and referred to visa requirements in the United States.

“Even in America, you cannot stay without a valid visa,” the lawyer said.

Justice Khalid Ishaq said the students could be sent back after completing their medical education. Rejecting the state security argument, he said there was no state security issue involved in the case.

The LHC directed that no medical college should expel the students or cancel their examination papers. The court adjourned further proceedings until next Friday.

The development came a day after the PM&DC clarified that there was no nationality-based ban on medical education in Pakistan.

The council said its review of Afghan medical students was related to regulatory compliance and documentation, not discrimination against any nationality.

The PM&DC said Pakistan continued to welcome foreign students seeking medical and dental education under its rules and government policies. It said foreign students who met the required academic, registration, documentation and immigration requirements were facilitated through the established system.

According to the council, more than 200 Afghan students were studying medicine in Pakistan, but only 22 were currently registered with the PM&DC.

“Of these, 14 had completed their degree programmes while eight were expected to graduate next year,” it added.

The council said completing a medical degree did not automatically give students the right to stay in Pakistan for employment or medical practice. Those who want to practise in Pakistan must meet the required licensing and registration requirements.

The verification process for the remaining 176 students was still underway, and the figure could change after final confirmation.

The PM&DC said students who were not registered with the council and did not have the required permission could not be considered lawfully enrolled foreign medical students within Pakistan’s regulated medical education system. It added that its actions were based on documented status, applicable rules and directions from competent authorities.