{
  "id": 10138913,
  "title": "IHC strikes down PCL placement provision",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/ihc-strikes-down-pcl-placement-provision",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-26T19:03:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Express Tribune - Pakistan",
    "slug": "the-express-tribune-pakistan",
    "url": "https://tribune.com.pk/story/2631602/ihc-strikes-down-pcl-placement-provision"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has invalidated a provision in the Passport Rules, 2021 that permitted the inclusion of citizens' names on the Passport Control List (PCL) based on recommendations from government agencies. Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas ruled that the provision infringed upon the constitutional right to travel. Additionally, the court dismissed an order denying the petitioner's request to be removed from the PCL, stating that the placement lacked lawful authority. The IHC ordered authorities to expunge the petitioner's name from the list within 15 days and prohibited them from obstructing his lawful foreign travel. The petitioner, Moin Ud Din, challenged an order from January 26, 2026, rejecting his removal request. He was detained in Islamabad International Airport on December 18, 2025, while en route to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, despite possessing a valid passport, visa, and air ticket. Authorities had no justification for his detention. The petitioner had previously sought IHC intervention, which directed authorities to adjudicate his applications through a reasoned order. After a hearing on January 23, 2026, the authorities failed to issue an order, leading to a contempt petition. Moin Ud Din's name was added to the PCL on December 24, 2024, after INTERPOL forwarded a deportation recommendation from the UK following a three-year prison sentence for causing death by dangerous driving under the influence of alcohol. The authorities claimed the placement served as a deterrent and reflected adversely on Pakistan's international image, but the petitioner's counsel argued he had completed his sentence and was no longer subject to any criminal proceedings in Pakistan.",
  "summary": "Declares part of Rule 22(2)(b) ultra vires",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}