The Lahore High Court has ruled that the Federal Investigation Agency cannot stop citizens from international travel based only on suspicion, setting clear guidelines for airport procedures. The court emphasised that lawful travel rights must be protected, while immigration authorities must ensure transparency and provide valid written reasons for any decision to offload passengers.
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According to the detailed judgment, the court set aside FIA’s decision to stop a citizen from travelling to Nigeria despite the passenger holding valid travel documents, visa, and boarding clearance. The petitioner argued that he was abruptly offloaded during final boarding stages, causing financial loss, mental distress, and reputational damage without any formal justification.
Moreover, the petitioner stated that FIA officials stopped him based on an assumption that he might not return from Dubai, even though he was not involved in any criminal case or inquiry. The court observed that he was not listed on the Exit Control List or any security watchlist, making the travel restriction legally unjustified.
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In its ruling, the court declared that the right to travel abroad is a fundamental constitutional right and cannot be restricted without lawful and recorded justification. It further stated that FIA’s authority at immigration counters must be exercised within legal limits and must not rely on vague concerns or unverified assumptions.
Additionally, the court ruled that recording reasons for offloading passengers is a legal requirement rather than a procedural formality, and all decisions must be properly documented. It directed FIA officials to maintain written records of passenger questioning, responses, and where possible, ensure electronic recording of interviews for transparency.
Furthermore, the court issued new guidelines requiring officials to provide copies of offloading orders to affected passengers and ensure proper justification is clearly communicated. It also stated that citizens may seek legal compensation if they suffer damages due to unlawful restrictions, reinforcing accountability and fair treatment at immigration checkpoints.