Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, the former Interior Minister of Pakistan and head of the Awami Muslim League, was dramatically prevented from traveling abroad at the Islamabad International Airport. This incident occurred despite the Lahore High Court (Rawalpindi Bench) having recently ordered the removal of his name from both the Passport Control List (PCL) and the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL).
The unexpected blockade elicited a strong reaction from the veteran politician. In a statement, Sheikh Rasheed asserted that Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan had specifically granted him permission to travel for Umrah, and that copies of the judicial orders had been duly forwarded to all relevant institutions.
Recounting the scene at the airport, Rasheed expressed his profound dismay at being told he could not proceed with his pilgrimage. He emphasized that the court had issued explicit instructions that there should be no grounds for complaint or objection regarding his travel.
Questioning the Rule of Law
Viewing the action as a direct defiance of judicial authority, Sheikh Rasheed stated emphatically that he intends to pursue a Contempt of Court case before Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan’s bench. His emotional comment reflects a deep-seated frustration with the system: “In a country where the High Court’s order does not prevail, one can only look towards the sky,” he remarked.
Sheikh Rasheed concluded by expressing hope that God would eventually allow him to perform Umrah and that the responsible authorities would ultimately face embarrassment over their decision. This episode raises serious questions about the enforcement mechanisms of administrative and legal restrictions against political figures in Pakistan.
