LHC restrains Punjab medical colleges from expelling Afghan students
“The Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed medical colleges across Punjab not to expel Afghan students or cancel their examination papers while hearing petitions challenging their removal from medical i…”
Justice Khalid Ishaq passed the directions during a hearing of petitions filed by more than 30 Afghan students who challenged their expulsion from medical colleges in the province. During the proceedings, the lawyer representing the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) maintained that several Afghan students lacked the required documentation to continue their studies in Pakistan.
The counsel argued that foreign nationals could not remain in the country without valid visas and referred to similar immigration requirements in other countries. Justice Ishaq questioned how the students had initially been issued education visas and admitted to medical colleges.
He also questioned the rationale behind sending students back after they had spent several years pursuing their medical education. The judge observed that the affected students should have been given an opportunity to present their position before any action was taken against them.
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Rejecting the argument that the matter involved state security, Justice Ishaq remarked that the students could potentially be sent back after completing their medical education. The court subsequently ordered that no medical college in Punjab should expel the petitioners or cancel their examination papers.
The proceedings were adjourned until next Friday. The hearing came a day after the PMDC clarified that Pakistani regulations do not impose a nationality-based ban on foreign students seeking medical education.
The council said its review of Afghan medical students was focused on regulatory compliance and documentation and was not directed against any particular nationality., more than 200 Afghan students are currently studying medicine in Pakistan, while only 22 are registered with the council. Of those registered, 14 have completed their degree programmes and eight are expected to graduate next year.
The council clarified that obtaining a medical degree alone does not grant a foreign national the right to remain in Pakistan for employment or medical practice. Students seeking to practise medicine in the country must meet the applicable licensing and registration requirements.
The PMDC said the verification of the remaining 176 students was still in progress and that the figure could change after the process is completed. It added that foreign students who lack PMDC registration and the required permissions under the applicable rules cannot be considered lawfully enrolled within Pakistan's regulated medical education system.
The council said its actions were based on official records, relevant regulations and directions issued by competent authorities.
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