ISLAMABAD, Nov 05 (APP):The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday directed the petitioner citizen to submit a representation to the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) regarding his being stopped from travelling at the airport. Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar directed the DG FIA to decide the representation within two weeks and adjourned further proceedings. During the hearing, the chief justice questioned the petitioner’s counsel about the …
IHC directs citizen to approach DG FIA on offloading
ISLAMABAD, Nov 05 (APP):The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday directed the petitioner citizen to submit a representation to the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) regarding his being stopped from travelling at the airport.
Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar directed the DG FIA to decide the representation within two weeks and adjourned further proceedings.
During the hearing, the chief justice questioned the petitioner’s counsel about the identity of the official who had stopped his client at the airport. When the lawyer failed to provide the details, the judge observed that the petitioner should at least know which shift in-charge had prevented him from travelling.
Expressing displeasure, the chief justice remarked that he felt like imposing a fine of at least Rs1 million and dismissing the petition. He said the court had summoned the DG FIA and other officers at the petitioner’s request, but the petitioner could not identify who had stopped him.
The judge observed that the court was there to protect everyone’s rights, while the petitioner’s counsel apologised to the court.
During the proceedings, DG FIA Usman Anwar told the court that the agency had not offloaded petitioner Khalid Mahmood and that the petitioner had never approached the FIA. He said the passenger had been stopped by Shaheen Airport Services.
The chief justice observed that if the airline concerned did not want to carry the passenger, he could pursue legal action against it.
The judge also asked the DG FIA about arrangements to inform passengers about travel restrictions and suggested installing a screen at the airport displaying the names of people who were not permitted to travel, so they could address any deficiencies in their documents beforehand.
DG FIA Usman Anwar informed the court that Deputy Director and Additional Director Zoneera looked after airport-related matters.
When the chief justice asked whether the FIA had uploaded a video explaining the documents required before travelling, Additional Director Zoneera responded in the negative, adding that the petitioner had never approached the agency.
The court disposed of the hearing with directions to the petitioner and the DG FIA.
