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Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PHC defers Swati travel plea hearing
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has deferred the hearing of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Senator Azam Swati's petition seeking removal of his name from the Passport Control List and permission to travel abroad. A two-member bench comprising Justice Sahibzada Asadullah and Justice Dr Khurshid Iqbal adjourned the case until July 29, stating that no interim relief would be granted for now. The court emphasized that granting travel permission at this stage would be equivalent to offering full relief prematurely. During the hearing, Barrister Waqar represented Swati, while Deputy Prosecutor General Muhammad Ali appeared on behalf of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), along with a representative from the Passport and Immigration Department. Barrister Waqar informed the court that Azam Swati was offloaded at Islamabad Airport despite voluntarily appearing before courts in all pending cases. He stressed that Swati has substantial assets within Pakistan and has no intention to flee the country, especially as he is also a candidate for the upcoming Senate elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa scheduled for July 21. The NAB prosecutor responded that a major corruption inquiry is underway involving billions of rupees. He revealed that a suspicious transaction of Rs600 million was traced to Swati from an account linked to the Kohistan land scandal. Although Swati claims the funds originated from a 2016 land sale, NAB maintains the money was transferred in 2024, raising serious concerns. The court was also told that Swati failed to provide satisfactory responses to NAB's questionnaire. Justice Asadullah questioned the rationale behind placing Swati's name on the control list based on an ongoing inquiry, not a trial. The prosecutor compared the case to the infamous Ayyan Ali case, warning that premature international travel could hinder investigations, as seen in past instances. Swati's lawyer argued that his client is cooperating fully, has appeared in cases, and previously had his name removed from the Exit Control List (ECL) by the same court. He reiterated that Swati's substantial domestic assets indicate no intent to abscond. The court was also informed that the next NAB appearance is scheduled for July 16. The immigration official clarified that names are added to the list based on recommendations from investigative agencies. Following the hearing, Azam Swati spoke to the media, stating, "If a trial can be filed against my leader and his wife, if Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi could be accused of cattle theft, then surely I can be tried for selling my own home."
Express Tribune
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PHC seeks replies in Swati travel case
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has issued notices to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and other relevant authorities in response to a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Azam Swati seeking removal of his name from the Passport Control List and permission to travel abroad. The court has demanded replies by July 10. The petition was heard by a two-member bench comprising Justice Sahibzada Asadullah and Justice Dr Khurshid Iqbal. During the proceedings, Barrister Waqar represented Azam Swati, Deputy Prosecutor General Muhammad Ali appeared on behalf of NAB, and Deputy Attorney General Gohar Rehman Khattak represented the federal government. Swati's counsel informed the court that his client was offloaded from an international flight at Islamabad Airport despite voluntarily appearing before courts in all cases against him. He argued that Swati, who owns assets worth billions in Pakistan and has no intention of fleeing, has been unfairly included in the Passport Control List. The counsel further stated that Swati is also a Senate election candidate, with elections scheduled in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on July 21. He requested the court to allow Swati to travel abroad for a medical check-up, assuring the court that he would return to Pakistan before the elections and is willing to provide any guarantees deemed necessary. The lawyer also claimed that until May, there was no NAB case against Swati, and the current case has only recently been initiated. However, NAB's Deputy Prosecutor General Muhammad Ali told the court that the bureau is investigating the Kohistan corruption scandal. He revealed discrepancies between the financial data obtained from Swati's bank accounts and his recorded statements to NAB. He explained that while Swati claimed the funds were proceeds from a property sale, the said property was sold in 2016 for Rs20 million, whereas the contested funds were transferred to his accounts in 2024. This inconsistency is central to NAB's ongoing inquiry, which allegedly involves billions of rupees in corruption. NAB's counsel further informed the court that several bank accounts have already been frozen as part of the investigation, and Swati's name remains on the Passport Control List due to fears he may attempt to flee the country before the probe concludes. After hearing initial arguments, the court issued notices to NAB and other relevant institutions and adjourned the hearing until July 10.
Express Tribune
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
FIRs to be registered against deportees
The government has decided to take stringent action against citizens deported from foreign countries. In a high-level meeting chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday, it was resolved that FIRs will be registered against all deportees. In addition, their passports will be cancelled, and their names will be placed on the Passport Control List (PCL) for a period of five years. To ensure effective implementation, a committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Interior Secretary Khurram Agha that will review and strengthen the existing passport laws and regulations.
Express Tribune
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Deported Pakistanis to face FIRs and passport cancellations, officials confirm
Listen to article Islamabad: Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi chaired an important meeting in Islamabad. It was decided during the meeting that FIRs would be registered against deported individuals and their passports would also be canceled. It was further decided that deportees would be placed on the Passport Control List for five years. On the instructions of Interior Minister, a committee has been formed under the leadership of the Interior Secretary to further strengthen and improve passport rules and regulations. The Interior Minister stated that deportees are causing embarrassment for Pakistan at International level, thus no leniency will be shown to them in the future. Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry, Interior Secretary Khurram Agha, DG FIA Riffat Mukhtar Raja, and DG Passports Mustafa Jamal Qazi were present on the occasion.
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
FIRs to be filed, passports to be cancelled of deported Pakistanis: Interior Ministry
The government will now register First Information Reports (FIRs) and also cancel passports of deported Pakistanis, according to a statement from the Interior Ministry on Saturday. The decision was made in a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi. 'It was decided during the meeting that FIRs would be registered against deported individuals and their passports would also be canceled,' it said. 4,000 beggars deported from Saudi Arabia in 3 years According to the statement, the government will also place the deportees on the Passport Control List for five years. Naqvi further ordered to form a committee under the leadership of the Interior Secretary to further strengthen and improve passport rules and regulations. The minister stated that deportees were causing embarrassment for Pakistan at International level, thus 'no leniency will be shown to them in the future', the statement said.
