LAHORE
\nThe Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued important guidelines for the FIA on offloading passengers travelling abroad, ruling that a citizen cannot be stopped from leaving the country on mere suspicion or vague reasons.
\nJustice Raheel Kamran issued a nine-page written judgement on the petition filed by citizen Muhammad Abbas. The court declared the FIA\u2019s decision to stop Abbas from travelling to Nigeria null and void.
\nThe petitioner had challenged his offloading despite having a valid visa, ticket and travel documents.
\nAccording to the petitioner, he had already been issued immigration clearance and a boarding card when he was suddenly offloaded.
\nThe FIA allegedly stopped him only on the concern that he might not return from Dubai. The judgement noted that Abbas was not involved in any case, inquiry, blacklist or Exit Control List.
\nCourt says travel a fundamental right
\nThe court held that travelling abroad is a fundamental right under the Constitution. It observed that the FIA does have powers, but those powers are not unlimited.
\nIt ruled that a citizen cannot be prevented from travelling abroad on mere concerns, assumptions or vague reasons.
\nThe court directed FIA officers to write detailed and meaningful reasons whenever they offload a passenger. It said recording reasons is not a mere formality but a legal requirement.
\nThe judgement added that administrative powers must be exercised transparently, fairly and strictly in accordance with the law.
\nThe court also ruled that the questions asked from a passenger and the answers given must be recorded. Wherever possible, interviews or conversations should be saved electronically.
\nA copy of the offloading order or proforma must also be provided to the affected passenger.
\nThe court declared it illegal to offload a citizen who has valid travel documents, including a visa and ticket, without lawful and reasonable grounds.
\nJustice Raheel Kamran observed that the citizen\u2019s explanation about going to Nigeria with his brother was not unreasonable. The FIA, however, did not record any proper reason to reject the passenger\u2019s explanation.
\nThe judgement noted that suffered financial loss, mental anguish and defamation due to being offloaded. The court said the affected citizen may approach the relevant forum for compensation if he wishes.
\nThe ruling is expected to shape future FIA procedures at airports and strengthen legal protections for passengers travelling abroad.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LAHORE The Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued important guidelines for the FIA on offloading passengers travelling abroad, ruling that a citizen cannot be stopped from leaving the country on mere suspicion or vague reasons. Justice Raheel Kamran issued a nine-page written judgement on the petition filed by citizen Muhammad Abbas. The court declared the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-548554","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-top-news"],"yoast_head":"\n