The Lahore High Court (LHC) has suspended Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) orders directing Afghan medical students to return home.
Justice Khalid Ishaq issued the order while hearing petitions filed by 13 Afghan students studying at medical institutions in Lahore. The students attend King Edward Medical University, Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Medical and Dental College, and Services Institute of Medical Sciences.
Court Challenges PMDC Directives
The students approached the court after PMDC issued a September 1 notification ordering Afghan medical students to return to Afghanistan. The notification also stopped medical and dental colleges from admitting or placing Afghan students during the current academic session.
The petitioners also challenged a similar PMDC directive issued on July 31. They asked the court to declare both orders illegal, unconstitutional and without lawful authority.
Advocate Asad Jamal argued that the students faced the orders without receiving an opportunity to explain their position. He said the directives violated their fundamental rights to education, life and dignity.
Afghan Students Allowed To Continue Studies
PMDC lawyer Haris Azmat opposed the suspension and argued that national security concerns justified the council’s directives. However, Justice Ishaq rejected the argument and suspended the operation of both PMDC orders.
The court also allowed the affected students to continue their education at their respective institutions. Furthermore, they can sit examinations and return to their hostels while the case remains pending.
The judge directed PMDC, the health ministry and university and college vice chancellors to submit their replies. The court scheduled the next hearing for September 18.
The ruling provides temporary relief to the Afghan students while the court examines the legality of PMDC’s directives. The proceedings will determine whether authorities can enforce the disputed orders against the petitioners.
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