LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday extended a stay against expulsion and deportation of Afghan medical students and granted the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) more time to submit its reply.

Justice Khalid Ishaq heard the petitions filed by over 30 Afghan students, including Syed Mubeenul Fatti, challenging the PMDC notifications.

A counsel for the PMDC told the court that the prime minister office had issued a direction to the relevant authorities to allow the Afghan students to continue their studies subject to valid visa and immigration requirements.

When the judge asked about the written reply, the counsel sought time to submit it.

The judge accepted the request and adjourned the hearing for a date to be fixed by the office. He also extended its order restraining the authorities from deporting the students.

The petitioners stated that notifications for their deportation had been issued on July 31 and Sept 1. They challenged the notifications and asked the court to declare them illegal and set them aside.

The court had on Sept 11 suspended the operation of the PMDC directives ordering Afghan medical students to return to the neighbouring country.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2026