IHC gives deadline for implementation of orders to remove names from PCL
ISLAMABAD, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 7th Sep, 2026) The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday gave the authorities a deadline until next Monday to implement its orders regarding the removal of citizens’ names from the Passport Control List (PCL), directing the Director General (DG) Immigration and Passports to submit a compliance report.
Justice Muhammad Azam Khan, hearing contempt of court cases over the failure to remove the names of Afnan Khan, Khurram Shehzad, and Hadi Hussain from the PCL despite court orders, expressed displeasure over the non-compliance. Addressing DG Immigration and Passports Muhammad Ali Randhawa, who appeared before the court on a two-hour notice after a break in the hearing, the judge observed that more than 100 contempt petitions were pending before the High Court, including 16 before his own bench.
The court stated that the authorities would be given time until Monday to submit the compliance report. It also made it clear that an unconditional apology would not automatically be accepted after reviewing the report.
The petitioners’ counsel informed the court that the judicial orders had not been implemented, and the names of the applicants were still on the PCL, leading to the filing of the contempt petitions. The counsel mentioned that the Ministry of Interior had constituted a committee tasked with deciding whether names should be removed from the PCL.
Justice Azam Khan questioned the authority under which a committee could review an order of the High Court. He remarked, "Tell me if there is any such law under which a committee will examine the High Court’s order." The judge warned that a contempt notice would be issued if the court order was not implemented.
The court observed that authorities could not claim that a committee scrutinizing a judicial decision was acceptable. The DG Immigration and Passports requested two days’ time to comply with the court orders, which were accepted, adjourning the hearing until Monday.
