The Lahore High Court (LHC) has delivered a significant verdict declaring the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) practice of offloading passengers holding valid visas, tickets, and travel documents as unlawful. This ruling came after a detailed nine-page judgment authored by Justice Rahil Kamran, addressing the case of a citizen who was prevented from traveling to Nigeria despite meeting all travel requirements.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that the petitioner had already been issued a boarding pass but was offloaded on the suspicion that he might not return from Dubai. Notably, the individual was not involved in any legal case, inquiry, nor was he listed on any blacklist or the Exit Control List (ECL). The court highlighted that such actions by the FIA caused the petitioner significant financial loss, emotional distress, and damage to his reputation.
In a significant development, the LHC emphasized that the right to travel abroad is a fundamental constitutional right. While acknowledging the FIA’s authority to regulate travel for security and legal reasons, the court clarified that this power is not absolute and must be exercised within legal boundaries. The judgment underscored the need for transparency and accountability in decisions related to passenger offloading.
Furthermore, the court issued comprehensive guidelines to ensure fair treatment of travelers in the future. These directives require officials to provide detailed and meaningful reasons when offloading passengers, maintain proper records of the questions posed, and document the responses given by travelers. This move aims to prevent arbitrary actions and protect citizens’ rights during international travel.
