Law: Constitution of Pakistan, 1973

Section: 199,15

Summary The petitioner challenged her offloading from a flight to Dubai despite holding a valid passport and visa. The Court found that her passport had not been activated in the system and that her name was not on the ECL, PCL, BL, or PNIL. Holding that the restriction was arbitrary and violated her constitutional right to freedom of movement, the Court directed the FIA and relevant authorities to activate her passport, remove any unlawful travel restrictions, and permit her to travel unless a valid legal bar exists. Sections / Articles Used Article 199 Article 15 2-Word Description Travel Restriction Passport Activation   O R D E R  Petitioner Shazia Arif Butt has filed this Constitutional Petition under Article 199 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, seeking the following relief: - “a) May be pleased to direct the Respondents to delete name of the petitioner/unblock/d-block the passport and remove the name of petitioner from the ECL/BL/PCL/PNIL etc. and may be pleased to direct the all respondents give immediate relief to the petitioner allow to go to abroad.”   The case of the petitioner is that she is a citizen of Pakistan, and is gainfully employed and also operates her own business in Dubai, UAE. However, on 22nd September 2025, while attempting to travel from Karachi Airport to Dubai, UAE, on Fly Dubai Flight No. FZ322, who was holding a valid visa and ticket, was offloaded by Respondent No.5. She submitted that despite possessing all necessary travel documents, she was informed orally by the respondents that her passport was blacklisted in the Inter-Boarder Management System (IBMS), and consequently, she was prevented from boarding the flight. She added that she was also incorrectly accused of having applied for a second passport, which she denies. She averred that following the exit stamp by FIA immigration, Respondent No.5 refused her further travel, stating that her name appeared on the Exit Control List (ECL), Passport Control List (PCL), and blacklists (BL), without providing any justifiable reason. She submitted that this arbitrary action has caused her severe hardship, depriving her of her…