Rawalpindi:
Former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has been granted permission by the court to travel abroad for Umrah.
The decision came during a hearing of Sheikh Rasheed’s writ petition at the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench, where he appeared alongside his counsel, Advocate Sardar Abdul Razzaq Khan.
The counsel argued that the High Court had previously ordered the removal of Sheikh Rasheed’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL); however, it was later placed again on the Passenger Name Record (PNIL) and passport control lists. He emphasized that under the Constitution, every citizen has the fundamental right to freedom of movement and to travel abroad.
On behalf of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the federal government, it was stated that Sheikh Rasheed’s name was placed under passport control by order of the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC).
Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan remarked that Sheikh Rasheed should be allowed to perform Umrah, saying, “If he prays there, perhaps the country’s situation will improve.”
Following the remarks, the court accepted Sheikh Rasheed’s petition and granted one-time permission for him to travel abroad to perform Umrah.
