The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has raised important legal questions in a case concerning the extension of student visas for 87 Afghan nationals currently studying in Pakistan.

During the hearing on Friday, Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro noted that Pakistan is currently in a state of war with Afghanistan. “Would you grant a visa extension to a group of students from India if they made a similar request?” he asked.

The counsel replied that the students arrived in Pakistan in 2023, when the country’s national policy was different.