By: Syed Sardar M Khondai/ANI
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 Amir Nawaz Rana and Justice Abdul Qayyum Lehri, while announcing the verdict, held that judicial intervention in government policies concerning foreign students was not warranted.
The court observed that foreign nationals do not have an absolute or permanent right to reside, study or receive professional training in Pakistan, particularly where such matters are subject to state policy.
The judgment further stated that executive decisions relating to immigration control, repatriation of foreigners and national security fall within the domain of the government. The court therefore declined to interfere with state directives regarding the admission, transfer or facilitation of Afghan nationals in medical institutions.
The judges observed that humanitarian considerations are important, but humanitarian grounds alone do not create a legal right to permanent residence or admission to educational institutions for non-citizens.
The High Court clarified that foreign nationals must be treated with human dignity, justice and in accordance with the law. However, the judiciary cannot set aside government decisions concerning foreign policy and related executive matters.
The bench advised the affected Afghan students to approach the Embassy of Afghanistan for redressal of their grievances.
