The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday mandated the immediate removal of YouTuber Rajab Butt’s name from the passport control list, instructing authorities to comply unless a separate legal restriction exists. Justice Muhammad Azam Khan, in a detailed six-page judgment, clarified that the power to include names on this list is not absolute and must be exercised fairly and lawfully.
The court highlighted that adding an individual’s name to the passport control list directly impacts their fundamental right to freedom of movement, stressing that such limitations must be supported by strong and justifiable grounds. It further explained that the main reason for placing someone on the list is to ensure their presence before investigative agencies or courts. Once this purpose is fulfilled, continuing the restriction is unwarranted.
Accordingly, the court ordered the concerned authorities to remove Butt’s name from the list, provided no other legal orders or requirements from a competent court prevent this action. This ruling follows shortly after a sessions court in Karachi revoked Butt’s interim pre-arrest bail in a case involving allegations of hurting religious sentiments. The bail was canceled after Butt failed to appear before the court.
Besides the case related to his controversial speech, Butt faces another case accusing him of promoting gambling and betting applications. In September of the previous year, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) registered a case against him for allegedly using social media videos and advertisements to encourage people to invest in gambling and betting apps, which reportedly led to financial losses for many.
