RAWALPINDI: The Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench on Thursday directed the Secretary Interior and the Director General of Immigration to submit comprehensive report in an intra-court appeal filed by the federal government against an order allowing former federal minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed to travel abroad for Umrah.

A division bench comprising Justice Jawad Hassan and Justice Tariq Mahmood Bajwa was hearing ICA titled Federation of Pakistan versus Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, when it questioned the basis on which a single bench had granted a no-objection certificate (NOC) to the respondent for travel to Saudi Arabia.

Assistant Attorney General for Pakistan Barrister Zain Mansoor, informed the court that no report had been filed by the appellant before the learned single judge prior to the issuance of the NOC.

However, he referred to a report submitted on behalf of the Secretary, Ministry of Interior, and the Director General, Directorate General Immigration & Passports Pakistan, stating that Mr Rasheed’s name had been placed on the Integrated Border Management System (IBMS) under the “Provisional National Identification List (PNIL)” category by the Federal Investigation Agency, which it described as the sole prerogative of the agency.

The bench expressed concern over the repeated non-appearance of the Additional Attorney General who had filed the appeal on behalf of the federation, observing that such conduct amounted to disregard of court proceedings.

When asked which division of the federal government had authorised the filing of the appeal and who had granted consent before the single bench, the law officer sought time to obtain instructions.

The order under challenge recorded that the learned Additional Attorney General had submitted a report stating that the Anti Terrorism Court Rawalpindi had earlier issued a general order for impounding passports of persons facing trial under Section 28-A of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, but that the respondents had no objection to Mr. Rasheed travelling for Umrah.

The division bench observed that the single bench’s order appeared to be based on three factors: submission of a report, reference to the ATC’s general order, and the absence of objection from the respondents.

The court further questioned the legal basis under which the respondent had sought permission to travel abroad, noting that the impugned order did not cite any specific constitutional provision or statutory section. Counsel for Mr. Rasheed sought time to assist the court on this point.

Referring to the Federal Government Rules of Business, 1973, the bench noted that under Rule 4(2), the Secretary of a division is its official head and responsible for conduct of business and implementation of policy. Citing precedent, the court emphasized that the Secretary Interior, being the administrative head of the division dealing with entry and exit matters, was responsible for furnishing a clear and comprehensive report.

In the absence of a report from the appellant despite repeated directions, the court directed the Secretary Interior and the Director General FIA Immigration, Islamabad, to submit detailed reports addressing the queries raised by the bench. The law officer who filed the appeal was also directed to appear in person and argue the case on the next date of hearing. The matter was adjourned until March 5, 2026.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2026