ATC rejects former Interior Minister’s travel request; Lawyer promises high court challenge
Former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed spoke to the media on February 24 after being placed back on the Exit Control List. PHOTO: SCREEN CAPTURE
ISLAMABAD:
Former Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad’s application to travel abroad to perform Umrah was rejected on Tuesday after his name was included in the Exit Control List (ECL) for the second time.
The prosecutor informed the court that on instructions from the federal government, the Federal Investigation Agency had included Sheikh Rashid’s name in the ECL. The prosecutor added that in relation to the May 9 incidents and the Headquarters attack cases, the names of all accused have been included in the list.
Read: PTI orders legislators to attend daily protests outside SC for Imran’s medical check-up
The federal government had decided to include several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders in the ECL in connection with cases arising from the May 9 incident; including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Omar Ayub, Fawad Chaudhry, Shibli Faraz, Ali Amin Gandapur, Shehryar Afridi, Usman Dar, Shireen Mazari, Zartaj Gul, Musarrat Cheema, Kanwal Shauzab, Sheikh Rashid and Major (Retd) Tahir Sadiq.
Following the prosecutor’s statement, Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Amjad Ali Shah dismissed Rashid’s application for Umrah.
Later, the senior politician’s lawyer announced that the decision and action would be challenged in the high court, arguing that since the court had already granted Rashid permission to travel for Umrah, placing his name in the ECL amounted to contempt of court.
Read more: Improve ties with Imran, I promise we will not allow them to overthrow the government: Allama Raja Abbas
Speaking briefly after the hearing, Sheikh Rashid said he was surprised to learn that his name had been added to the ECL once again, noting that it had previously been removed. He vowed to challenge the action in the high court and expressed confidence that he would get permission and perform Umrah.
In November 2025, Sheikh Rashid was banned from leaving the country despite orders from the Lahore High Court allowing him to perform Umrah. Rashid, who was traveling to Saudi Arabia via Dubai, was detained by immigration officials at Islamabad International Airport.
After the incident, he said he would return to court, adding that copies of the court orders had been provided to all relevant authorities, ensuring there was no obstruction.
