ISLAMABAD: Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro of Islamabad High Court (IHC) has linked the removal of Aleema Khan’s name from the no fly list with her bail in a case registered in connection with Nov 26 protest at D-Chowk.

Justice Soomro heard a petition filed by Aleema Khan, sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, seeking the removal of her name from the Exit Control List (ECL).

The court was informed by Assistant Attorney General Azmat Bashir Tarar and FIA Deputy Director that Aleema Khan’s name was added to the ECL following a recommendation by the DIG Rawalpindi Police. A terrorism case has reportedly been registered against her at the Sadiqabad Police Station in Rawalpindi in connection with the said protest.

Aleema Khan’s legal counsel, Niazullah Niazi advocate argued that her legal team had previously requested case details but had not been informed about her name being placed on the ECL.

He maintained that the inclusion appeared politically motivated and solely linked to her being the sister of the PTI founder.

During the proceedings, Aleema Khan personally addressed the court, stating that the Punjab Police had declared her wanted without justification. “I am sitting here; call the DIG and arrest me if needed,” she said. Justice Soomro responded that the court had no jurisdiction over the Punjab Police and could not summon a provincial officer from another province.

The government lawyer admitted there was no known case against her in Islamabad. Justice Soomro criticised the lack of transparency, stating that authorities had failed to keep the petitioner properly informed or make the police a party to the case.

Advocate Niazullah Niazi further argued that Aleema Khan was on bail in the referenced case and should be allowed to travel abroad for a “noble cause.”

However, Justice Soomro emphasised that the court must act within the limits of the law and declined to issue any relief outside the petition’s scope. He remarked that following the promulgation of 26th Amendment, the high court cannot go beyond from the prayers clause of the petition.

Niazi replied that the PTI is struggling to remove such restrictions from the judiciary.

The judge asked the counsel to get a bail from the court of competent jurisdiction first before seeking removal from the no-fly list. The court adjourned the hearing until next week at the request of the petitioner’s legal team.

Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2025