The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has allowed a citizen who was offloaded at the airport to travel abroad after hearing a petition challenging the inclusion of his name on a travel restriction list, reported the 24NewsHD TV channel.
During Friday’s hearing, Justice Raja Inam Amin Minhas expressed strong concern over the actions of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and directed its additional director to submit a detailed response to the court.
Addressing the petitioner, Rab Nawaz, the judge said he could travel abroad and that the court would deal with any attempt to stop him. The judge added that his case would remain pending.
During the proceedings, the court questioned the public prosecutor about the legal authority under which passengers were offloaded at airports and their names placed on travel restriction lists.
The public prosecutor replied that the FIA had its own standard operating procedures (SOPs) under which such action was taken.
Justice Minhas asked the lawyer to explain which procedures were being referred to, observing that the law did not permit such action. He described the issue as highly sensitive and said the Supreme Court had already issued an order concerning the matter.
The judge said he would write to the secretary of the Establishment Division to seek action against any officer involved in unlawfully offloading passengers, including consideration of stopping the officer’s promotion.
He questioned how a person holding a valid passport, visa and return ticket could be stopped from travelling. He also said he would summon the FIA director general to ask which SOPs were being followed if they were considered above the law.
The FIA lawyer again told the court that the agency had internal regulations under which such decisions were made.
Justice Minhas then questioned whether the FIA had the authority to make laws of its own. He said the lawyers were appearing before the High Court and should understand whether internal procedures could take precedence over the law.
The judge warned that allowing government agencies to operate solely according to their own procedures could lead to every official and bureaucrat creating separate rules, with serious consequences.
The court directed the deputy attorney general to appear at the next hearing fully prepared and assist the court on the legal issues involved. The additional director of the FIA was also ordered to submit a detailed reply.
The court later adjourned further proceedings until September 24.
Reporter: Ehtisham Kiani