The Lahore High Court has suspended the enforcement of two orders issued by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, under which Afghan medical students were required to return to Afghanistan. Under the ruling, the students may continue their studies, take exams and return to their hostels.<\/p>\n
The order was issued on Friday by Justice Khalid Ishaq while hearing a petition filed by 13 Afghan students. The students are studying at several medical institutions in Lahore, including King Edward Medical University, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Medical and Dental College, and the Services Institute of Medical Sciences.<\/p>\n
The petition was filed after the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, on July 31 and then again on September 1, issued two directives asking Afghan students to return to Afghanistan. The council had also barred universities and medical colleges from admitting Afghan students or allocating them seats in the current academic year.<\/p>\n
Advocate Asad Jamal, counsel for the students, told the court that his clients were targeted by the decision without being given a chance to defend themselves, and that their fundamental rights to education, life and human dignity had been violated. He also argued that the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council had exceeded its legal authority and sought assurances that the students’ rights would be protected in accordance with the law.<\/p>\n
On the other side, Haris Azmat, lawyer for the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, said the matter was linked to national security. However, Justice Khalid Ishaq rejected the argument and suspended both orders issued on July 31 and September 1.<\/p>\n
The court has also asked the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, Pakistan’s health ministry and the heads of the relevant medical universities and colleges to submit their responses. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for September 18.<\/p>\n
Sardar Ahmad Shakib, Afghanistan’s ambassador to Pakistan, welcomed the court’s decision. He also welcomed a clarification from Pakistan’s foreign ministry on X, under which Afghan students with valid visas can continue their studies in Pakistan.<\/p>\n
Shakib said he hoped the relevant Pakistani authorities would adopt a clear, consistent and practical approach so that Afghan students who have enrolled legally can maintain their legal status and complete their studies without unnecessary interruption.<\/p>\n
Lahore is the capital of Pakistan’s Punjab province and is home to some of the country’s most important medical education institutions. The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council is also one of the bodies responsible for regulating education and professional activity in the medical and dental sectors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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