‘Is This How the Bureaucracy Will Run?’ IHC Judge Rebukes Passport Officials
Justice Azam Khan sharply questioned the review committee’s role in delaying compliance and gave passport authorities until Tuesday to remove Wajahat Hussain’s name from the PCL.
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Monday directed passport and immigration authorities to remove citizen Wajahat Hussain’s name from the Passport Control List (PCL) by Tuesday, warning that contempt proceedings could follow if its earlier order remains unimplemented.
Justice Muhammad Azam Khan issued the direction while hearing Hussain’s contempt petition, which alleges that authorities failed to comply with the court’s previous order. The judge summoned Interior Secretary Ahmed Raza Sarwar, Federal Investigation Agency Director General Usman Anwar and Director General Immigration and Passports Muhammad Ali Randhawa to appear in person.
Court Questions Delay in Implementing Order
During the initial proceedings, a deputy director of Immigration and Passports informed the court that the matter had been referred to a review committee. Justice Azam questioned whether the referral could justify non-compliance with a judicial order and asked officials to explain the procedure followed after a court issues directions.
The hearing was briefly suspended before resuming later. The judge again expressed dissatisfaction with the explanation and questioned whether a committee could review a court’s decision. Officials said the committee followed an established procedure for reviewing such cases and informed the court that a scheduled meeting the previous week had not taken place.
Authorities Warned of Possible Contempt Proceedings
Justice Azam emphasised that government authorities could challenge a court decision through the legal process but must comply with it while it remained in force.
The court directed passport and immigration authorities to remove Hussain’s name from the PCL by Tuesday and produce confirmation that the order had been implemented. The hearing was adjourned until then.
No contempt finding or sentence was issued on Monday. The court warned that proceedings could begin if the authorities failed to meet the deadline.
Multiple PCL-Related Petitions Pending
The case comes amid broader concerns about compliance with court orders concerning the Passport Control List. In September, more than 100 similar contempt petitions were pending before the Islamabad High Court, including around 16 before Justice Azam Khan’s bench.
