IHC Strikes Down Passport Control List Rule

The Islamabad High Court declared a provision of the Passport Rules, 2021, that allowed agencies to place a citizen’s name on the Passport Control List without a competent authority unconstitutional.

Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas ruled that the second limb of Rule 22(2)(b) was beyond the Passports Act and the Constitution, and had no legal effect.

The decision followed a petition by Moinuddin, who was stopped at Islamabad International Airport on 18 December 2025 while traveling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah. He had a valid passport, visa and ticket, yet was denied travel without explanation.

His name had been added to the PCL on 24 December 2024 on the recommendation of NCB‑INTERPOL and forwarded by the FIA’s Assistant Director (Immigration Wing). The court found that the placement lacked a competent authority, notice, hearing or reasons.

The court also rejected the justification that his conduct had harmed Pakistan’s reputation or that the placement was intended to deter others, noting that he had completed his sentence and no case was pending against him.

The IHC set aside the agency’s order dated 26 January 2026, directed the removal of Moinuddin’s name from the PCL within 15 days, and ordered the authorities to decide his application within one week with a well‑reasoned order.

Copies of the judgment were sent to the Interior Secretary, Immigration and Passports DG and FIA DG for compliance.