LHC suspends PMDC directives ordering Afghan medical students to return home

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has suspended directives from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) that ordered Afghan medical students to return to Afghanistan. The PMDC had reiterated this directive on September 1, instructing medical and dental colleges not to admit or facilitate Afghan nationals, and requiring those already enrolled to leave. This led King Edward Medical University (KEMU) to order 20 Afghan MBBS students, including seven in their final year, to depart. Thirteen Afghan medical students challenged these directives in the LHC, arguing that the PMDC exceeded its authority and violated their rights. Justice Khalid Ishaq rejected the PMDC's national security argument and ordered the students to be allowed to continue their studies, sit exams, and return to hostels, while seeking replies from relevant ministries and institutions by September 18.