The Lahore High Court has issued important guidelines for the FIA regarding the offloading of passengers at airports who are travelling abroad.
In its written judgment, the court ruled that a citizen cannot be stopped from traveling abroad based only on doubts, assumptions, or unclear reasons. It said that international travel is a fundamental right under the Constitution of Pakistan.
The case involved a passenger named Muhammad Abbas, who was stopped from traveling to Nigeria even though he had a valid visa, ticket, and complete travel documents. He was offloaded by FIA officers on the suspicion that he might not return from Dubai. However, he was not placed on any watchlist, no criminal case was registered against him, and his name was not on the Exit Control List (ECL).
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The court declared the FIA action illegal and said that administrative powers must be used fairly, transparently, and within the law. It emphasized that giving proper written reasons is not just a formality but a legal requirement.
The court also issued new guidelines for future cases, stating that:
- Officers must record detailed and clear reasons for offloading any passenger.
- Questions asked and answers given during questioning must be properly documented.
- Where possible, interviews should be recorded electronically.
- A copy of the offloading order must be given to the passenger.
- No one can be stopped from traveling based only on suspicion or vague concerns.
The court also said the passenger may seek compensation for financial loss, mental stress, and damage to reputation.
Overall, the judgment strengthens the rights of travelers and places stricter limits on FIA authority at airports.
