The Kabul Tribune (KT) — The Lahore High Court on Friday barred medical colleges across Punjab from expelling Afghan medical students or canceling their examination papers while it considers petitions challenging their removal, Geo News reported.
Justice Khalid Ishaq issued the order during a hearing on petitions filed by more than 30 Afghan medical students facing expulsion from medical colleges in the province.
During the hearing, a lawyer representing the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council argued that the students did not have the required documents and said foreign nationals cannot remain in a country without valid visas.
“The principle across the world is that you cannot stay without a valid visa,” the lawyer said.
Justice Ishaq questioned how the students had initially been granted education visas when they were admitted to medical colleges. He also questioned the decision to send them back after they had spent four years pursuing their medical education.
The judge observed that the students should have been given an opportunity to present their case before any decision was taken against them.
The PM&DC lawyer argued that the matter involved state security and referred to visa requirements in the United States.
“Even in America, you cannot stay without a valid visa,” the lawyer said.
Justice Ishaq responded that the students could be sent back after completing their medical education. He also rejected the argument that the case involved a state security issue.
The court directed that no medical college in Punjab expel the students or cancel their examination papers. Further proceedings were adjourned until next Friday.
The court’s decision came a day after the PM&DC said there was no nationality-based ban on medical education in Pakistan.
In a statement, the council said its review of Afghan medical students was focused on regulatory compliance and documentation and was not aimed at discriminating against any particular nationality.
The PM&DC said Pakistan continued to welcome foreign nationals seeking medical and dental education, provided they met the country’s academic, registration, documentation and immigration requirements.
The council said more than 200 Afghan students had been identified as studying medicine in Pakistan, while only 22 were currently registered with the PM&DC.
Of those 22 students, 14 had completed their degree programs and eight were expected to graduate next year, according to the council.
The PM&DC said completing a medical degree did not automatically give a foreign national the right to remain in Pakistan for employment or medical practice. Students seeking to practice medicine in Pakistan must meet the applicable licensing and registration requirements, it said.
The council said verification of the remaining 176 Afghan students was still underway and that the figure was subject to final confirmation.
