IHC issues notices on petition against travel restrictions on citizens
The Islamabad High Court has sought replies from the interior secretary and senior officials on a petition against travel restrictions. The petition challenges passport control lists and a passport rule.
- IHC issued notices to the interior secretary, the immigration director general and the FIA director general.
- The petition challenges the PNIL, black list, stop list and part of a passport rule.
- The case is to be fixed in the first week of December.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday issued notices on a petition challenging what it describes as unnecessary travel restrictions on Pakistani citizens travelling abroad. The petition also questions the legality of several travel control lists.
According to Business Recorder, a single-judge bench of Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir issued notices to the secretary of interior, the director of immigration and the director general of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), seeking their responses. The petition was filed by the Judicial Activism Panel through its counsel, Azhar Siddique Advocate.
Daily Pakistan Urdu reported that the Attorney General was also issued a notice to assist the court on the legal question. It said the court directed that the case be fixed for hearing in the first week of December.
The petition challenges the passport rules and the Provincial National Identification List (PNIL). It argues that the second part of Rule 22(2)(b) of the Passport Rules 2021 is unlawful under Article 199 of the Constitution.
The petitioner says citizens are added to passport control lists merely on the recommendation of government agencies or departments. It says people holding a valid passport, a visa and a confirmed ticket are stopped from travelling without prior notice or reasons.
According to the petitioner, citizens suffer irreparable losses in employment, education and medical treatment, and in performing Hajj and Umrah.
The petitioner asks the court to declare the PNIL, the black list and the stop list illegal. It also asks that the Interior Ministry, Immigration and Passports, the FIA and NADRA be directed to set up a coordinated and transparent Pak Travel Status portal so citizens can learn their travel status.
Why it matters
Pakistani citizens who travel abroad for work, study, medical treatment, Hajj or Umrah could be affected by how travel control lists are used. The petitioner says people are stopped without notice or reasons.
