Summary Federal Constitutional Court suspends Lahore High Court ruling, restores Passport and Immigration Rules, reinstating govt authority to control passports and travel restrictions.
ISLAMABAD (APP) - The Federal Constitutional Court has suspended the Lahore High Court’s decision and restored the annulled provisions of the Passport and Immigration Rules, effectively reinstating the government’s authority to place citizens on the Passport Control List and deactivate passports.
A two-member bench headed by Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi heard the case on Monday and formally admitted the government’s appeal for regular hearing. Notices were issued to the parties, and further proceedings were adjourned for an indefinite period.
During the hearing, Justice Rizvi inquired whether the case pertained to individuals attempting to travel abroad illegally. The Additional Attorney General informed the court that a citizen, Farhan Ali, had illegally traveled to Iran and was later deported. Following the unlawful act, his name was placed on the Passport Control List.
Counsel for the petitioner, Amir Rehman, argued that the inclusion of the petitioner’s name on the Passport Control List and the deactivation of his passport had been challenged in court.
The bench also questioned whether the individual had traveled abroad on his own or was involved in facilitating illegal migration to Italy for monetary gain. The court further sought details regarding the Federal Investigation Agency’s inquiry. In response, the Additional Attorney General stated that complete information had not yet been obtained from the FIA.
The Additional Attorney General further informed the court that the Lahore High Court had previously struck down Rules 3 and 10 of the Passport and Immigration Rules.
However, the Constitutional Court has now suspended that ruling, restoring the provisions for the time being.
