Journalist Imran Riaz Khan was prevented from boarding his flight to Saudi Arabia for Hajj by immigration authorities, despite having received permission from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to undertake the pilgrimage. This incident has raised concerns about the enforcement of court orders and the role of immigration authorities.
On Wednesday, the IHC, under the leadership of Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, granted Khan’s request to travel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj. The court’s decision came after hearing arguments related to the placement of Khan’s name on the Exit Control List (ECL) by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
The court was informed that the FIA had recommended placing Khan’s name on the ECL. However, after considering the arguments presented, the IHC ruled in favor of Khan, allowing him to travel abroad for the religious pilgrimage.
Despite this judicial approval, Khan was stopped at the airport by immigration officials, effectively barring him from traveling. The reasons behind the enforcement of the travel restriction, despite the court order, remain unclear and have yet to be officially explained by the authorities.
This incident has sparked a debate about the effectiveness and respect for judicial decisions in Pakistan. Many are questioning the actions of the immigration authorities and calling for an explanation regarding the discrepancy between the court’s order and its implementation.