The Lahore High Court in Pakistan, through a temporary ruling, halted the implementation of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council’s decision to send Afghan medical students back.

Judge Khalid Ishaq said on Friday, 20 Sunbula, during the hearing of the case of 13 Afghan students, that students who are undergoing medical and dental courses must have the possibility to continue their education and complete their training programs.

The case was brought to court after the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council on September 1 asked Afghan medical students to return to their country.

The council had also ordered educational institutions not to consider new admissions or academic seats for Afghan students this year.

The plaintiff students are studying at several reputable educational institutions in Lahore, including King Edward Medical University, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Medical and Dental College, and the Services Institute of Medical Sciences.

According to the court’s new ruling, until further review of the case, educational institutions do not have the right to deport Afghan students and must not prevent them from attending exams.

The students’ lawyer also said that with the halt of the council’s order, students can return to their dormitories and resume their education.

This comes as Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s spokesperson, had condemned this decision.