The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the removal of Aleema Khan, sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, and PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan from the Passport Control List (PCL) and Provisional National Identification List (PNIL), declaring the restrictions unjustified.

Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro heard Aleema Khan’s plea, directing her to seek travel permission from the trial court. Her legal team included advocates Ali Bukhari, Khalid Yousuf Chaudhry, and Niazullah Niazi.

In a separate judgment, Justice Inam Amin Minhas ruled in favor of Raoof Hasan, terming his inclusion on the PCL “illegal and mala fide.” The court instructed authorities to immediately remove his name from the list and advised him to approach the trial court for travel approval.

Hasan’s counsel argued that his name was placed on the PCL without justification, noting that he is a cancer survivor who needs biannual medical check-ups in the UK. The court acknowledged that Hasan is currently out on bail in a Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) case and that no move had been made to revoke his bail.

The IHC criticized procedural lapses, pointing out that while the FIA recommended Hasan’s name be added to the PCL on July 24, 2024, the Director General of Immigration and Passports acted on this on August 26 without securing federal government approval—contrary to the Passport Rules, which delegate such authority solely to the federal government.

The court emphasized that ongoing investigations or criminal cases alone do not justify restricting a person’s travel rights.

Hasan was previously held in FIA custody under the PECA law for seven days and later sent to Adiala Jail. He was also taken into custody in a separate terrorism-related case on the same day.