LHC Multan Bench seeks FIA response in case of passenger offloading

The Lahore High Court (LHC) Multan Bench on Thursday sought a written response from FIA officials regarding a petition filed by Shehryar Qandeel challenging his offloading from a flight despite holding valid travel documents.

Justice Ali Zia Bajwa emphasized that providing reasons for preventing a citizen from traveling is not merely a formality but a guarantee of transparency and accountability. The court noted that neither the FIA nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had submitted written justification for the offloading.

The bench highlighted that a clear legal basis and written reasons are necessary before restricting a citizen’s right to travel, stressing that fundamental rights cannot be arbitrarily curtailed.

According to the petitioner’s lawyer, the offloading violated principles of natural justice, due process, and the constitutional right to movement. The court directed FIA officials to submit a formal written reply in response to the petition.

 Reporter: Mehar Imran