Afghan Citizens Have No Inalienable Right to Continue Education in Pakistan; Balochistan High Court Dismisses Constitutional Petition

Quetta (Daily Qudrat Quetta) — A bench of the Balochistan High Court comprising Justice Muhammad Aamir Nawaz Rana and Justice Abdul Qayyum Lehri has dismissed Constitutional Petition No. 1334 of 2026, relating to Afghan citizens continuing medical and dental education and postgraduate training in Pakistan. In its judgment, the court held that foreign nationals do not possess such an inalienable right to continue residence, education, or training in Pakistan that runs contrary to state policy. The court also declined to interfere with the instructions issued by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council regarding the admission, transfer, and facilitation of Afghan citizens in medical institutions.

The court held that matters concerning immigration, the return and residence of foreign nationals, and national security fall primarily within the administrative domain, and therefore judicial intervention in such matters can only be of a limited scope. In its judgment, the Balochistan High Court made clear that all foreigners, including Afghan citizens, must be treated with human dignity, justice, and in accordance with the law; however, these protections do not create an unlimited or permanent right to continue residence, education, or training in Pakistan.

Dismissing the constitutional petition at the initial stage, the court directed the affected persons to approach the Afghan embassy for redressal of their complaints.