ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has stopped authorities from deporting an Afghan doctor and suspended the implementation of a Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) notification that could disrupt his ongoing postgraduate medical training.
Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro passed the order on a petition filed by Mehar Zahoor, a Pakistani woman who sought legal protection for the medical training of her Afghan husband, Dr Imaduddin.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s lawyer maintained that the PMDC notification issued on July 31, 2026, could not be enforced retrospectively against doctors who had already been admitted to approved training programmes.
The counsel informed the court that Dr Imaduddin was pursuing urology training and that his programme had already been extended by the competent authority until February 27, 2027.
He argued that while the authorities could introduce new policies for future admissions, doctors already enrolled in recognised programmes should be permitted to complete their training.
The lawyer further contended that ending the doctor’s training without issuing a notice or providing him an opportunity to be heard could have serious consequences for the family’s livelihood and right to family life.
The petition names the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, the PMDC and the principal of Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur, as respondents.
The IHC’s intervention comes shortly after the Lahore High Court (LHC) also suspended the implementation of PMDC directives concerning Afghan students enrolled in medical and dental colleges.
Justice Khalid Ishaq of the LHC had heard a petition filed by 30 Afghan students, including Syed Mobeen Ulfati, challenging PMDC notifications issued on July 31 and September 1.
The LHC issued notices to the federal government, PMDC and other relevant parties and directed them to submit their responses by September 18.
At the hearing, PMDC’s counsel argued that the visas of the students facing expulsion had expired. The court, however, questioned how the students had initially been admitted to medical institutions if their visas were considered invalid.
The petitioners argued that the PMDC directives ordering their expulsion were unlawful and requested the court to declare the notifications null and void.
The PMDC had earlier directed medical and dental institutions across the country to stop the admission, placement and transfer of Afghan nationals until further orders.
In a communication to principals, deans and heads of medical and dental institutions, the council instructed both public and private colleges to implement the directive.
