The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Wednesday dismissed a petition by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Senator Shibli Faraz against the placement of his name on the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL), ruling that a convicted person cannot be permitted to travel abroad.
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Dr Khurshid Iqbal, heard the matter. Faraz's counsel, Bashir Khan Wazir, informed the court that while his client's name had been removed from the Exit Control List (ECL), it was subsequently placed on the PNIL. He acknowledged that the petition had been filed before his client's conviction, which had altered the circumstances.
Justice Syed Arshad Ali observed that Faraz now had only two legal options, to serve his sentence in jail or seek bail from the court. "We cannot turn a blind eye. How can we allow a convicted person to travel abroad?" the judge remarked.
The government counsel submitted a report confirming that Faraz's name had been moved from the ECL to the PNIL. The defense stated that Faraz intended to surrender before the court and requested disposal of the petition. The bench accepted the request and closed the case.
Bail extensions for PTI leaders
In separate proceedings, the PHC extended the protective bail of PTI Peshawar Region President and MNA Atif Khan, MNA Shahid Khattak, and Senator Mishaal Azam until September 2, barring authorities from arresting them in any registered case. The court also directed the federal government to provide complete details of all cases filed against them.
Hearing petitions filed by the three leaders and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Minister Meena Khan, the same bench was told by their counsel that numerous cases had been lodged against them without providing specifics. The Assistant Attorney General admitted the government's report was still pending and assured the court it would be submitted at the next hearing.
In Meena Khan's case, the Assistant Deputy Attorney General revealed that three cases were registered against him in Islamabad, with no pending inquiries at NAB or FIA. The court disposed of his petition, advising him to approach the relevant trial courts.
Azam Swati moves contempt petition
Meanwhile, PTI Senator Azam Swati once again faced a travel ban when stopped at Peshawar Airport. He filed a contempt of court petition through Advocate Ali Azeem against the federal government, FIA, and other authorities, alleging violation of court orders that had directed the removal of his name from all stop-lists.
Swati contended that despite the PHC's recent acceptance of his plea to remove his name from the ECL and Passport Control List (PCL), it was added to the PNIL in defiance of the
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