LHC suspends PMDC’s return orders for Afghan medical students

The Lahore High Court suspended the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council's (PMDC) orders directing Afghan medical students to return to Afghanistan. The decision was made by Justice Khalid Ishaq, who was hearing petitions filed by 13 Afghan students enrolled at various institutions in Lahore. The PMDC had previously notified Afghan medical students to return to Afghanistan and barred medical and dental colleges from admitting or placing Afghan students for the current academic session.

The students argued that the PMDC's actions were illegal, unconstitutional, and transgressed its jurisdiction under the PMDC Act. The court ordered the suspension of the PMDC directives, allowing students to continue their education, sit for examinations, and return to their hostels. The Foreign Office spokesperson denied any government order to deport Afghan students, stating that they could stay in Pakistan if enrolled in a valid degree program and held a valid visa. However, the government has not issued a blanket ban on Afghan students.