Lahore High Court Pauses Expulsion of Afghan Medical Students Amid Protests

The Lahore High Court in Pakistan has temporarily halted the expulsion of Afghan medical students. This decision comes after protests from over 30 Afghan students and a review by Judge Khalid Ishaq.

Lahore High Court Halts Expulsion of Afghan Students

The Lahore High Court, located in Punjab, Pakistan, issued a temporary injunction on Friday, September 20, against the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council’s ban on Afghan students continuing their studies at medical universities and their exam cancellations. Judge Khalid Ishaq made the ruling during an urgent hearing.

The case was filed by more than 30 Afghan students studying in medical institutions in Punjab. These students, represented by attorneys Junaid Jabbar and Assad Jamal, challenged the decisions made by the Medical and Dental Council in August and September. Junaid Jabbar emphasized that the students are studying in Pakistan legally and orderly, and therefore, the Council or universities do not have the right to abruptly deny them their educational rights.

Details of the Court’s Decision

The Afghan students requested the court to allow them to participate in their examinations and to use university hostel facilities. The judge pointed out that the announcements made by the Medical and Dental Council on July 31 and September 1 were temporarily suspended, stressing that no university could expel students or prevent them from attending exams until the next scheduled hearing.

During the session, the attorney for the Medical and Dental Council claimed there were issues regarding the visas of Afghan students. However, the judge responded by questioning, “If there were problems with the students’ visas, how were their study visas issued?” He also stressed the importance of providing students the opportunity to express their views.

Reactions to the Court’s Decision

The Afghan students welcomed the Lahore High Court’s decision, deeming it a just and fair ruling. Faiz Wardak, an Afghan student at Nishtar Medical College, stated that the decision by the court is right and fair, calling on the Pakistani government and the Medical Council to issue a notification to reassure the students.

Sajjad Haider Khan, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also responded to the situation, stating that there are no prohibitions against the education of Afghan students and that any student with a valid visa may continue their studies.