The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday allowed citizen Rab Nawaz, who had been offloaded at the airport and placed on a travel restriction list, to travel abroad. Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas, while hearing the petitioner's case, expressed serious displeasure with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials and questioned the legal basis for offloading passengers and placing their names on travel restriction lists. The court directed the FIA Additional Director to submit a response and asked, "Under which law do you offload people and place their names on travel restriction lists?" The government counsel submitted that the FIA had its own standard operating procedures (SOPs) under which such action was taken.
Justice Minhas questioned the existence of such SOPs, observing that the law did not permit such action and terming the matter sensitive. He noted that the Supreme Court had already passed an order on the issue. The judge observed that action would be sought against officials involved in unlawfully offloading passengers and said he would write to the Secretary Establishment Division for consideration of stopping the promotion of any officer found responsible.
He questioned how a person holding a valid passport, visa and return ticket could be offloaded at the airport. The judge further remarked that he would summon the FIA Director General to inquire about the SOPs allegedly being treated as superior to the law. The FIA counsel maintained that the agency had internal regulations under which such action was taken.
Justice Minhas questioned whether the FIA had the authority to make laws and asked whether its SOPs could override the law. The court directed the FIA to come prepared at the next hearing and assist the court on the legal and regulatory position. While allowing Rab Nawaz to travel abroad, the court observed, "You may go abroad.
If anyone stops you, we will see. Your case will remain pending." The hearing was adjourned until September 24.