Islamabad High Court on Wednesday issued notices to Secretary of Interior, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) seeking a reply to the petition of MNA Rai Haider Ali for the removal of his name from the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL). Chief Justice Amir Farooq issued a notice and sought a reply on April 25. Chief Justice Amir Farooq summoned the Deputy and Assistant Attorney General present in the court to the rostrum. Expressing anger, CJ asked them why people’s names are being put on such lists and who makes all these lists. Chief Justice remarked that there is no scope for such lists in the law. Petitioner’s lawyer Shafqat Abbas told the court that his client is an elected MNA from Faisalabad and wanted to go abroad but was stopped at the airport.

When asked, it was told that his name is included in PNIL that is why he cannot go because they are in PNIL, said lawyer Shafqat Abbas. Many of the old names are gone, let's see which ones are left, Assistant Attorney General replied. Many have left, many have not yet left, see them too, Chief Justice ordered. Sometimes they confiscate someone's passport, sometimes they put their name in the stop list, don't do that, Chief Justice further ordered. Chief justice ordered that “I am giving the date of 25th April and call the concerned officer and submit the report. The court issued a notice to the parties and adjourned the hearing till April 25.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan