ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has warned government authorities of contempt proceedings if they fail to remove citizens’ names from the Passport Control List in accordance with its orders by Monday.
Justice Azam Khan issued the warning during proceedings, giving the administration additional time to comply with the court’s directions. However, the judge made clear that the extension represented the government’s final opportunity.
The court directed officials to implement its order and submit a compliance report by Monday, warning that it would otherwise announce its decision and would not accept an unconditional apology in subsequent contempt proceedings.
Judge Questions Growing Number of Contempt Cases
Director General Immigration and Passports Muhammad Ali Randhawa also appeared before the court.
Justice Khan questioned him about the number of contempt petitions filed against his department, observing that 10 such cases were pending before his court alone, while more than 100 were reportedly being heard across the Islamabad High Court.
Meanwhile, Randhawa’s lawyer informed the court that the Interior Ministry had constituted a committee to examine matters involving removal of names from the PCL.
Authorities Seek Additional Time for Compliance
The judge questioned why a committee needed to consider implementation of a High Court order.
Randhawa’s counsel explained that the committee determines whether names should be removed from the PCL. He added that cases brought before the court had also been presented to the committee, which had decided 346 cases so far.
However, the lawyer said authorities were still waiting for the committee meeting’s minutes and requested two additional days.
Consequently, Justice Khan granted the authorities until Monday to implement the order and submit their report.
The court then adjourned proceedings, while warning officials that failure to comply could trigger contempt action.
