Awami Muslim League (AML) chief and former interior minister Sheikh Rasheed was stopped from travelling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah on Wednesday, despite having court approval. The incident took place at Islamabad International Airport, where immigration officials halted him before boarding his flight.
According to his lawyer, Sardar Shehbaz, the Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi Bench had issued a written order a day earlier, allowing Sheikh Rasheed to travel for Umrah. The court had also directed authorities to ensure that no obstacles were created in his travel.
In a video message recorded at the airport, Sheikh Rasheed expressed strong displeasure over the incident, calling it a violation of the LHC’s clear orders. He said Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan had issued the written directive, asking officials to ensure a smooth travel process. However, despite this, he was stopped from leaving the country.
The AML chief claimed that two immigration officers, identified as Abid and Tauqeer, told him he would not be allowed to travel and refused to acknowledge the court’s ruling. He criticized the officials for ignoring the judicial order and said he would take legal action against them.
“Sheikh Rasheed” announced that he would file a contempt of court petition against the concerned officers in the LHC. He stated that such incidents raise serious concerns about the rule of law and respect for judicial authority.
“In a country where even a High Court’s order is not honored, one can only turn to Allah for justice,” he said. “Allah will make it possible for me to perform Umrah, and those responsible will face embarrassment.”
The situation has sparked public debate on the enforcement of court decisions and the challenges political figures face when legal directives are ignored.
In other news read more about: Saudi Arabia orders PIA to pay $48 million in order to resume Hajj flights.
