IHC orders citizen's PCL delisting

Judge warns of contempt proceedings from Tuesday over non-compliance

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday ordered immediate implementation of its decision to remove a citizen's name from the Passport Control List (PCL), warning that contempt proceedings would begin on Tuesday if the order was not followed.

Justice Mohammad Azam Khan expressed anger over the disobedience of the court's order and remarked, "Why do you always wait for a contempt petition to be filed? Has a committee been formed to scrutinise court orders? Will bureaucracy now run this country? How was a committee formed to scrutinise judicial orders? Have you now become the Supreme Court?"

Justice Mohammad Azam Khan of the IHC was hearing a contempt petition filed over the failure to remove a citizen's name from the Passport Control List despite a court order.

The government lawyer informed the court that reports from intelligence agencies were available in one case. Officials from the Passport and Immigration Department said a meeting of the review committee had been scheduled for the previous week but could not be held for some reason.

The petitioner's lawyer argued that since the court had already allowed the petition, the citizen's name should be removed from the list immediately.

Justice Mohammad Azam Khan remarked that regardless of reports from intelligence agencies or any other source, the court's order must be implemented, or an appeal could be filed against it.

Passport and Immigration Department officials tendered an unconditional apology to the court, maintaining that their committees neither review court orders nor act against judicial decisions. They acknowledged that there was room for improvement in this matter.

Justice Mohammad Azam Khan remarked that the court would not want to grant relief to anyone involved in anti-state activities. "We have been very patient. We have overlooked so many cases. Do not undermine the dignity of the courts. The helpless and vulnerable come to us."

He said that those with money could find their way out, but if helpless people were not heard, neither the courts nor the system would function.

The judge further remarked that officials stopped people and also took bribes, adding that the court was aware of such practices because judges were part of the same society. "Just because we do not speak in court does not mean we do not know."

He said he would no longer accept an unconditional apology and would initiate contempt proceedings, adding that proceedings would begin, punishment would follow and those responsible would go to jail.