IHC reserves decision on plea against travel ban on ex-minister

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jul, 2026) Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday reserved its verdict on a petition filed by former federal minister Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind challenging the travel restrictions imposed on him.

Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas heard the petition. Barrister Zafarullah appeared for the petitioner, while the Assistant Attorney General, along with officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and immigration authorities, represented the respondents.

On the court's direction, Barrister Zafarullah read out a letter issued by the Quetta Police stating that the petitioner's name was no longer required to remain on the travel restriction list.

Justice Minhas observed that the concerned police no longer required the petitioner's name on the list and that the FIA had also stated it did not require him.

"If the authorities that requested the restriction no longer need it, why has the name still not been removed?" the judge asked.

FIA officials informed the court that Rind's name was not on the Exit Control List (ECL) but on the Provisional National Identification (PNIL) list, where it had been placed on March 28.

<?php /*?> <?php */?>

The court asked how long a person's name could legally remain on the PNIL and when the prescribed period had expired.

FIA officials replied that a name could remain on the list for one month, after which a one-month extension was required. Justice Minhas pointed out that more than five months had elapsed since the petitioner's name was placed on the list.

Questioning the legal basis for retaining the name for such an extended period, the judge remarked, "Under which law can you keep someone's name on the list for this long? Many such cases are coming before this court. We have repeatedly issued directions on this issue, and there is also a Supreme Court judgment."

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court reserved its judgment on the petition seeking the removal of Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind's name from the travel restriction list.