LHC extends stay against PMDC move to send Afghan students back

The Lahore High Court extended a stay on Friday against the deportation and expulsion of Afghan medical students, granting the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) additional time to respond. Justice Khalid Ishaq heard petitions filed by more than 30 Afghan students, including Syed Mubeenul Fatti, challenging the PMDC's notifications.

The PMDC's counsel informed the court that the Prime Minister's Office had instructed relevant authorities to permit the Afghan students to continue their studies, provided they meet valid visa and immigration requirements. When the judge inquired about the PMDC's written reply, the counsel requested more time to submit it. The judge granted the request, adjourning the hearing to a date to be determined by the office and also extending the order restraining authorities from deporting the students.

The petitioners noted that deportation notifications were issued on July 31 and September 1, and they challenged these orders, requesting the court to declare them unlawful and set them aside. The court had previously suspended the implementation of the PMDC directives on September 11, which ordered Afghan medical students to return to their neighboring country.