Islamabad: Islamabad High Court (IHC) has maintained name of any citizen cannot be included in Passport Control List (PCL) without prescribed legal process and approval of competent authority.

Justice Muhammad Azam Khan of IHC while issuing 5 pages written decision ordered to remove name of citizen Zain Attiq form PCL.

According to court name of the petitioner was included in PCL after he was deported from Turkiye in July, 2022.

It was said in the decision that after passage of over two years the FIA on the plea of petitioner recommended to remove his name from PCL . However passport authority rejected the plea being not persuaded.

As per media report the court maintained the name of a person who was deported due to illegal entry or prohibited act cannot be kept for indefinite period in PCL without approval of competent authority.

The court observed no evidence is available on record which reflects some competent authority has given decision to maintain the name of the petitioner in PCL nor any record of any sentence or pending criminal case is found against the petitioner in Pakistan or Turkiye.

The court while referring to Shireen Mazari case in written decision said travelling restrictions can be imposed on citizens as per legal powers and prescribed process. While in the present case the respective authorities failed to meet legal requirements.

The court further maintained although passport authority has final powers in this matter yet the recommendations of FIA can not be rejected without just and solid reasons.

IHC made it clear in its decision that neither any criminal proceedings is pending against the petitioner nor any legal basis and record of sentence from any court is available which provides justification to maintain his name in PCL.