ISLAMABAD, Oct 26 (APP):The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday directed the authorities to implement its decision to remove a citizen’s name from the Passport Control List (PCL) the same day, warning that contempt of court proceedings would commence on Tuesday if the order was not complied with.
Justice Muhammad Azam Khan expressed displeasure over the failure to implement the court’s earlier order while hearing a contempt petition concerning the matter.
During the hearing, the state counsel informed the court that reports from intelligence agencies were available in a related case. Officials of the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports stated that a meeting of the review committee had been scheduled for the previous week but could not take place for unspecified reasons.
The petitioner’s counsel argued that once the court had allowed the petition, the citizen’s name should immediately be removed from the list.
Justice Azam Khan observed that regardless of reports submitted by intelligence agencies or other authorities, the court’s order had to be implemented, or an appeal could be filed against it.
The passport and immigration officials tendered an unconditional apology, maintaining that their committees did not review or override judicial orders. They acknowledged, however, that there was room for improvement in the handling of the matter.
The judge questioned the creation of a committee to scrutinise court orders and asked whether the bureaucracy had assumed the role of a superior court. He also criticised the authorities for waiting until contempt petitions were filed before addressing non-compliance.
Justice Azam Khan observed that courts provided relief to vulnerable citizens who had nowhere else to turn and warned that repeated disregard for judicial orders could undermine public confidence in the justice system.
He said the court would not grant relief to anyone involved in anti-state activities, but stressed that judicial directions must be followed unless overturned through the proper legal process.
The judge rejected the prospect of accepting another unconditional apology, warning that contempt proceedings could lead to punishment and imprisonment.
The court directed the authorities to implement its order on Monday, failing which contempt proceedings would be initiated on Tuesday.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
