Law: Constitution of Pakistan 1973

Section: 199

Law: Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898

Section: 540-A

Law: Code Of Civil Procedure, 1908.

Section: 68

Law: National Accountability Ordinance, 1999

Section: 2

Case Summary The Islamabad High Court dismissed the writ petition challenging the petitioner's placement on the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL), Passport Control List (PCL), and Exit Control List (ECL) in connection with a NAB reference concerning the Bahria Town Karachi case. The Court held that it lacked territorial jurisdiction because the NAB reference and criminal proceedings were pending before the Accountability Court, Karachi, and related constitutional petitions had already been filed before the Sindh High Court. The Court further ruled that issues relating to exemption from appearance or permission to travel abroad fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the trial court under Section 540-A Cr.P.C. Since the petitioner had already approached the Sindh High Court and sought similar relief there, filing another petition before the Islamabad High Court amounted to impermissible splitting of causes of action. Consequently, the petition was dismissed as not maintainable. Tagline Islamabad High Court cannot entertain a writ concerning ECL/PNIL where the main NAB proceedings are pending in Karachi; permission to travel abroad must be sought from the trial court. ORDER; KHADIM HUSSAIN SOOMRO, J: Today, CMs No. 1814 & 1815 of 2025, are fixed for hearing. However, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that main case may kindly be taken up for hearing today. The request is allowed. Through this writ petition, the petitioner prays as under:-   Declare that the placing of the Petitioner’s name on PCL on account of pendency of the subject reference is illegal and void; Set aside, and during pendency of the present petition suspend, the operation of the impugned letter dated 01.02.2025; Restrain the Respondents from placing of Petitioner’s name on ECL, PCL, and/or PNIL, on account of pendency of the subject reference; Direct the Respondents/Ministry not to put the name of the Petitioner in any lists (PCL, ECL and PNIL) without Court’s permission; Direct the Respondents to remove the Petitioner’s name from PCL and PNIL/ECL (if already placed); Grant any other relief(s) that this Honourable Court deems…