Islamabad High Court questions legal status of Afghan students seeking visa extension

The Islamabad High Court has raised significant legal questions regarding the maintainability of a constitutional petition filed on behalf of 87 Afghan students seeking to extend their visas in Pakistan.

During the hearing, Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro scrutinized the legal standing of the Afghan students and the authority of their counsel to represent them. The judge inquired about the circumstances under which the students were permitted to enter Pakistan and whether similar requests would be entertained for students from other nations.

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Sir, we are currently at war with the Afghans. If Indian students come, will you allow them to come too?

Justice Soomro posed a pointed question to the lawyer: "Sir, we are currently at war with the Afghans. If Indian students come, will you allow them to come too?" The lawyer responded that the 87 students arrived in Pakistan in 2023, when the national policy concerning Afghan students was reportedly different.

The court also questioned whether the Constitution grants Afghan nationals the right to invoke the high court's constitutional jurisdiction. The counsel argued that the students entered Pakistan on valid one-year student visas, with government permission for their stay.

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Under which law have you taken power of attorney from these 87 Afghan students?

Furthermore, Justice Soomro questioned the lawyer's authority to obtain power of attorney from the 87 students. The judge suggested that the students should direct their concerns to the Afghan embassy, stating, "You should go to the Afghan embassy and your case will be heard there. The Afghan embassy will contact the Pakistani embassy."

The case involves the visa extensions for 87 Afghan students who came to Pakistan in 2023 for their studies. They are seeking to continue their stay following the expiry or impending expiry of their student visas. The court has adjourned further proceedings.

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You should go to the Afghan embassy and your case will be heard there. The Afghan embassy will contact the Pakistani embassy.