Sheikh Rashid to pray for Pakistan during Umrah after receiving travel permission

Former federal minister Sheikh Rashid was granted permission by the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi bench on Friday to travel abroad. His name was previously placed on the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL) and passport control lists.

Sheikh Rashid appeared in court with his lawyer, Sardar Abdul Razzaq Khan, who maintained that the High Court had already ordered the removal of his client’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL).

However, the authorities had placed his name on the passport control list and the NPL, preventing him from leaving the country for the Umrah pilgrimage.

Advocate Sardar Abdul Razzaq Khan also contended that the Constitution grants every citizen the right to travel abroad.

On the other hand, representatives from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the government informed the court that the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) had directed that Rashid’s name be placed on the passport control list.

Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan ruled in favor of Sheikh Rashid, stating that he would pray for Pakistan’s prosperity during his Umrah. He has been allowed to travel for Umrah one time only.