The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has restored the government’s authority to place citizens on the passport control list, after suspending a Lahore High Court (LHC) ruling that had earlier annulled key provisions of Pakistan’s Passport and Immigration Rules.
According to proceedings reported on Monday, the FCC accepted the government’s appeal for hearing and suspended the earlier judgment of the Lahore High Court, effectively reinstating the contested provisions.
The court’s interim order restores government authority under the Passport and Immigration framework, including the power to:
- Place individuals on the passport control list
- Declare passports inactive or suspended
The earlier LHC decision had struck down Rules 3 and 10 of the Passport and Immigration Rules, which formed the legal basis for these actions.
A two-member bench headed by Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi heard the case. During proceedings, the court examined instances involving alleged illegal migration, including a case where an individual reportedly travelled unlawfully to Iran and was later deported.
The government, represented by the additional attorney general, argued that the individual’s passport was deactivated and his name placed on the control list due to illegal travel activity. The move had been challenged in court.
The bench also inquired about investigations conducted by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), with the government informing the court that no detailed findings had yet been received.
The court further explored whether the case involved human smuggling networks or financial arrangements linked to illegal migration.
The FCC later adjourned the case for an indefinite period, while the suspended provisions remain temporarily in effect pending further proceedings.
