Humayun Khan
PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court has issued a notice to the federal government seeking a response regarding the denial of permission to former Senator Azam Swati to travel to Afghanistan along with his wife on diplomatic grounds, on Wednesday.
A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Peshawar High Court Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Wajid Ahmed heard the case. The counsel for the petitioner, Ali Azim Afridi advocate informed the court that Azam Swati has served as Senator and Federal Minister for three times. He wants to visit Afghanistan with his wife on diplomatic grounds but is being denied permission.
The counsel argued that the Chief Deputy Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a verbal note on August 12, but Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar ordered the visa process to be halted. He claimed that stopping the verbal note is illegal, as the Constitution of Pakistan grants every citizen freedom to travel, which is a fundamental right. Therefore, Swati should be allowed to visit Afghanistan on diplomatic grounds.
Meanwhile, a divisional bench comprising of Chief Justice Peshawar High Court (PHC) Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Waqar Ahmad dispose of a case against enlisting Speaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly in Provisional National Identification List (PNIL) after removal of his name, on Wednesday.
The counsel informed that the Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, wanted to travel abroad but was unable to due to his name being on PNIL. He argued that the petitioner name was incorrectly included in the PNIL, hindering his ability to travel abroad. Additional Attorney General informed the court that Babar Salim Swati’s name had been removed from the PNIL and now he is allowed to travel freely.
PHC grants protective bail Imran Riaz till Oct 7: Peshawar High Court has granted protective bail application of journalist Imran Riaz and directing him to appear in the relevant courts by 7th October, on Wednesday.
PHC single-member bench comprising Justice Shakeel Ahmed heard the protective bail application. The counsel informed the court that the petitioner is a senior journalist and multiple cases have been registered against him. He wants to appear in the relevant courts but fears arrest before appearing in court. The lawyer requested the court to grant transit bail to enable Imran Riaz to appear in the relevant court. PHC approved Imran Riaz’s protective bail application and ordered him to appear in court by 7th October.
