Sindh High Court Allows Afghan Medical Students to Resume Studies

DID Press: Sindh High Court has ordered Jinnah Sindh Medical University to allow Afghan medical students facing a return order to resume their classes and protected them from eviction from university hostels pending further proceedings.

The court had previously suspended the implementation of directives issued by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) requiring Afghan medical students to return to Afghanistan. At Tuesday’s hearing, lawyers for the students said Jinnah Sindh Medical University had nevertheless blocked their access to classes, disabled their biometric access and moved to remove them from university accommodation.

The court ordered the university to restore the students’ access to classes and hostels and said their education should not be disrupted before the next hearing. The case remains pending, and the latest order does not settle the status of Afghan medical students across Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office has said that Afghan students who hold valid visas and are enrolled in recognized courses are allowed to continue and complete their education. The ministry reiterated that this is the government’s policy, including for students already registered or studying under scholarships.

The PM&DC had nevertheless issued directives requiring enrolled Afghan medical and dental students to return to Afghanistan and barring new admissions or placements for Afghan nationals during the current academic year. The conflicting positions have created uncertainty over the implementation of the regulator’s directives.

Similar cases have also been brought before courts in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where some Afghan medical students have received temporary legal protection. The Balochistan High Court, however, rejected a similar petition.