The Lahore High Court has stopped the expulsion of Afghan medical students from medical colleges in Punjab.
Justice Khalid Ishaq issued the written order after hearing petitions filed by Afghan students.
The court suspended the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council’s directives dated July 31 and September 1, 2026.
The suspension will remain in place until the next hearing. The court has also directed authorities not to take adverse action against the students.
Students Can Continue Their Education
The court allowed the Afghan students to continue their medical education.
They can also appear in examinations and take part in clinical studies. In addition, they can attend clinical rotations, complete assignments and join other academic activities.
The students can also continue using their hostel facilities without obstruction.
The court directed the Punjab Assistant Advocate General to send copies of the order to the principals of the relevant medical institutions.
The medical colleges must follow the court’s directions in full.
Students Challenge PMDC Orders
The students approached the Lahore High Court under Article 199 of the Constitution.
They challenged PMDC directives that required Afghan medical students to return to Afghanistan.
The petitions said the students had already spent several years studying medicine in Pakistan. Some were enrolled in second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-year MBBS programmes.
The students said they had gained admission on merit under the Afghan refugee quota.
Earlier, 13 Afghan medical students filed petitions before the Lahore High Court. They included students from King Edward Medical University, Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Medical & Dental College and the Services Institute of Medical Sciences.
Students Warn of Serious Career Loss
The students’ lawyer argued that removing them from their programmes would cause serious and lasting harm.
He said the students were at different stages of their medical education. A sudden interruption could therefore damage their academic and professional careers.
The petitioners also challenged the legal authority behind the PMDC directives.
Government Raises Visa Issue
Federal government and PMDC lawyers opposed the petitions.
They argued that Afghan citizens cannot continue their studies without valid student visas.
The lawyers also said the PMDC decision formed part of the federal government’s broader policy on Afghan nationals.
They further argued that courts should not interfere in foreign policy decisions under Article 199 of the Constitution.
The government and PMDC lawyers requested one week to place the relevant material before the court.
Court Highlights Legal Protection
The court also addressed the legal protection available to people living in Pakistan.
It observed that Article 4 of the Constitution does not protect Pakistani citizens alone.
The provision also protects every person present in Pakistan.
The court said it has a duty to ensure legal protection for every person within the country.
Next Hearing Set for September 18
The Lahore High Court has given temporary relief to the Afghan medical students.
For now, the students can continue their studies, examinations and other academic activities.
The court will hear the matter again on September 18. The final legal status of the PMDC directives will depend on further proceedings۔
