Ali Hamza:Â
QUETTA – The Balochistan High Court has dismissed a petition filed by Afghan nationals seeking permission to continue their medical and dental education in Pakistan.
​A division bench comprising Justice Muhammad Aamir Nawaz Rana and Justice Abdul Qayyum Lehri delivered the verdict, rejecting the applicants’ plea for judicial intervention in government policies governing foreign students.
​In its ruling, the high court held that foreign citizens do not possess an absolute or permanent right to reside, study, or pursue professional training in Pakistan against official state policy.
The bench emphasized that core administrative decisions—specifically those related to immigration control, the repatriation of non-citizens, and national security—fall strictly within the executive domain of the government.
​Consequently, the court declined to interfere with state instructions regarding the admission, transfer, or facilitation of Afghan nationals across medical institutions.
The judges noted that while humanitarian considerations are important, compassion alone does not create a legally binding right to permanent residency or academic enrollment for non-citizens.
​While affirming that foreign nationals must always be treated with human dignity, fairness, and in accordance with the law, the high court stated that the judiciary cannot override government directives on foreign policy. The bench advised the affected students to contact the Embassy of Afghanistan to address their grievances.
