LHC Halts PMDC Orders for Afghan Medical Students Amid Legal Battle

In a significant ruling, the Lahore High Court (LHC) has suspended directives from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) requiring Afghan medical students to return to their home country. This decision, made by Justice Khalid Ishaq on Friday, comes in response to petitions filed by thirteen Afghan students currently enrolled in various medical institutions in Lahore.

The PMDC's controversial notification, issued on September 1, mandated Afghan students to leave Pakistan, along with a prior directive from July 31 that barred medical and dental colleges from admitting Afghan students. Represented by Advocate Asad Jamal, the petitioners argued that these actions were unconstitutional and violated their fundamental rights to education, life, and dignity.

Legal Arguments and Court Proceedings

During the court hearing, Jamal contended that the PMDC had overstepped its jurisdiction under the PMDC Act, infringing upon the students' rights without due process. In contrast, the PMDC's lawyer, Haris Azmat, asserted that the directives were necessary for national security. However, Justice Ishaq dismissed this argument and ordered the suspension of the PMDC's directives, allowing the students to continue their education and live in hostels while the case is reviewed.

Impact on Afghan Students

The petitioners, comprising seven women and six men, highlighted the disruption caused by the PMDC's orders, which led to their expulsion from colleges and hostels. Many of them are scholarship recipients under the Higher Education Commission's Allama Iqbal Scholarship Programme, and they expressed concerns about their academic futures amidst the uncertainty. Nilofar Nikzad, one of the petitioners, shared her plight of having to abandon her studies in Afghanistan due to Taliban restrictions before pursuing her medical education in Pakistan.

As the court prepares for its next hearing on September 18, the PMDC, the health ministry, and university officials have been summoned to respond to the legal challenges posed by the students. Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has condemned the PMDC's decision, warning that it may exacerbate an already precarious situation for Afghan students in the country.

Source: www.dawn.com