July 21, 2026
By Aitzaz Ibrahim
LAHORE
King Edward Medical University (KEMU) has directed Afghan national students, doctors and other boarders residing in its hostels to vacate their accommodation within 48 hours if their visas have not been properly extended by the Government of Pakistan, according to an official notice issued by the university’s office of the Chief Warden.
Talking to Voicepk, KEMU spokesperson Ehtisham-ul-Haq confirmed the decision, saying that Afghan students would not be able to access any university facilities until they obtained valid visas.
The notice, dated July 18, 2026, instructs all Afghan nationals , students and doctors to leave the university hostels within 48 hours if they do not possess a valid visa extension.
The development has sparked concern among Afghan students, who say many of them have been unable to obtain valid visas despite submitting complete applications for student visas or visa extensions several months ago.
Speaking to Voicepk, Fazlur Rahman, the Afghan Students’ Representative, said a significant number of Afghan students enrolled in Pakistani universities had originally secured admission on the basis of their Proof of Registration (POR) cards. However, he said the uncertainty surrounding expired or no longer recognised POR cards has created difficulties for students in continuing their education, meeting university requirements and accessing essential academic services.
He said many Afghan students had completed all legal formalities for obtaining student visas or extending their existing visas by submitting the required documents to the relevant authorities. According to him, many of those applications were filed between six and ten months ago but remain pending without any decision.
“As a result, students are frequently asked to produce valid visas despite having already completed the required legal process and waiting for the authorities to decide their applications,” he said, adding that the delays had created uncertainty and hardship for students pursuing higher education in Pakistan.
Fazlur Rahman said the situation had placed many students in an extremely difficult position as they were unable to fulfil university requirements while their immigration cases remained pending. He said students feared that the hostel directive could interrupt their academic activities despite the fact that they had already applied for legal status through the prescribed procedure.
He urged the authorities to allow all currently enrolled Afghan students to complete their education without interruption and to expedite pending student visa and visa extension applications so that students could regularise their legal status and continue their studies.
The hostel notice comes against the backdrop of Pakistan’s ongoing implementation of its policy regarding undocumented foreign nationals.
Under the Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Programme, the government has been taking action against foreigners who do not possess valid visas or other legal documentation permitting them to remain in the country.
The policy has been implemented in phases since its launch, with authorities urging undocumented foreigners to leave Pakistan voluntarily or face deportation under applicable immigration laws.
Afghan nationals have been among those most affected by the repatriation programme. While the government has maintained that the policy is aimed at individuals staying in the country without valid legal documents, Afghan students and other affected groups have repeatedly expressed concern over delays in visa processing and the impact such issues may have on their education and legal status.