Afghan students face visa limbo

University orders hostel eviction over denial of renewal

LAHORE:

The King Edward Medical University (KEMU) has ordered Afghan national students, doctors and other hostel residents to vacate the accommodation within 48 hours if their visas are not extended.

The notice issued by the Office of the Chief Warden of Boys and Girls Hostels instructs all Afghan nationals residing in university hostels to leave the premises if they fail to secure a visa extension from the government. Hostel wardens and assistant wardens have also been directed to ensure immediate compliance with the order.

For many Afghan students enrolled for medical education, hostel facilities are essential for attending clinical rotations, emergency duties and examinations conducted at teaching hospitals.

The development indicates universities being required to verify the legal status of foreign students.

Officials told The Express Tribune that universities had been asked to ensure that foreign nationals residing in hostels possessed valid immigration documents. "Educational institutions are expected to comply with government regulations. Hostel accommodation cannot be allowed where immigration status is no longer valid," a senior official said on condition of anonymity.

However, several Afghan students studying in Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi claim that they had submitted visa renewal applications before expiry dates but were waiting for immigration authorities to process their requests. They say delayed approvals had placed them in legal uncertainty despite remaining regularly enrolled in universities.

"We entered Pakistan legally and have continued our education according to university rules. If visa renewals remain pending due to administrative delays, students should not be penalised," an Afghan medical student said.

Student representatives from universities in Islamabad and Karachi said a number of Afghan students were attending classes while awaiting decisions from immigration authorities. Although no widespread hostel eviction notices have surfaced, universities have reportedly intensified verification of immigration documents in recent months.

The directive comes against the backdrop of authorities having tightened enforcement against undocumented foreign nationals. While government officials maintain that the policy targets only individuals without valid legal status, its implementation may affect students whose visa renewal applications remain under process.

Education experts warn that administrative delays in visa processing could disrupt academic programmes, particularly in medical education where attendance requirements are strict and clinical training cannot easily be postponed.

"Universities are obliged to comply with immigration laws but there should also be coordination between educational institutions and immigration authorities so that genuine students with pending visa extensions are not forced to interrupt their studies," said a senior official of Punjab Health Department. "A temporary mechanism for students awaiting renewal decisions could prevent unnecessary disruption."