Law: Constitution of Pakistan, 1973

Section: 199,15

Summary: The petitioner filed a constitutional petition under Article 199 seeking removal of his name from the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL) and compensation for being prevented from traveling abroad. He claimed he had valid travel documents, no criminal record, and a clear CRO. The FIA had placed his name on the PNIL without lawful justification or due process. The Court held that arbitrary inclusion on PNIL violates fundamental rights, including freedom of movement and personal liberty, protected under the Constitution. The Court directed the competent authorities to hear the petitioner and remove his name from the PNIL within three weeks, unless lawful grounds supported by due process exist. Sections / Articles Referenced: Article 199, Constitution of Pakistan, 1973 – Writ jurisdiction / constitutional petition Article 15, Constitution of Pakistan, 1973 – Freedom of movement Due process principles – Right to notice and hearing before restrictive action 2 × 2-Word Descriptions: Travel Restriction PNIL Removal O R D E R  The petitioner filed this petition under Article 199 of the Constitution of Pakistan seeking directions to respondents to remove his name from the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL) and compensation of Rs. 1,00,00,000/- for losses suffered due to being restrained from traveling abroad.   The petitioner claims to be a Pakistani citizen and states that on 23.03.2025, he was prevented from boarding Flydubai flight FZ-338 from Sialkot to Johannesburg despite holding valid travel documents, including a Pakistani passport and South African visa. However he added that he has no criminal record, and the CRO is clear, as such there was no justification with FIA to prevail him, which amounts to misuse the power and authority.   NADRA submitted that the petitioner’s CNIC No. 42201-0725242-3 is not digitally impounded, while learned DAG stated that the petitioner’s name was placed on PNIL on 09.08.2023 under Standing Order No. 02/2018, and FIA has the authority to add/remove names. The Ministry of Interior has no mandate over PNIL. However, that is subject to law and for the…