Sheikh Rashid stopped from travelling for Umrah

Awami Muslim League chief and former Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid was stopped from travelling for Umrah at Islamabad Airport on Wednesday, despite a Lahore High Court order issued last week permitting him to undertake the pilgrimage.

Sheikh Rashid recorded a statement at the airport and showed the written court order by Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan of the Lahore High Court.

He stated that the relevant government officials were present during the hearing and that the judge had clearly said no obstacles should be placed in his travel, and those present had agreed to the court order.

He added that he will now file a contempt of court petition against the officials, saying they acted against the High Court order.

Former federal minister Sheikh Rashid was granted permission by the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi bench on Friday to travel abroad. His name was previously placed on the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL) and passport control lists.

Sheikh Rashid appeared in court with his lawyer, Sardar Abdul Razzaq Khan, who maintained that the High Court had already ordered the removal of his client’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL).

However, the authorities had placed his name on the passport control list and the NPL, preventing him from leaving the country for the Umrah pilgrimage.

Advocate Sardar Abdul Razzaq Khan also contended that the Constitution grants every citizen the right to travel abroad.

On the other hand, representatives from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the government informed the court that the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) had directed that Rashid’s name be placed on the passport control list.

Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan ruled in favor of Sheikh Rashid, stating that he would pray for Pakistan’s prosperity during his Umrah. He has been allowed to travel for Umrah one time only.