High Court Division Bench Reviews and Questions Single‑Bench Umrah Permission in Sheikh Rashid Case

Key Points

• Lahore High Court division bench reviewed Umrah travel permission case of Sheikh Rashid.
• The appeal challenges a single bench order that had allowed him to travel for Umrah.
• Government argued the decision should be declared null and void.
• Court raised questions about constitutional and procedural aspects.
• Bench reserved the verdict after hearing arguments from both sides.

Summary

A division bench of the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench reviewed an intra‑court appeal in the case involving former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed’s request to perform Umrah. The government counsel argued that the previous single bench decision permitting Rashid’s travel should be declared null and void. The court raised constitutional and legal questions during the hearing and subsequently reserved its judgment on the appeal.

Detailed News

Division Bench Hearing on Umrah Permission

RAWALPINDI: A division bench of the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench, led by Justice Jawad Hassan and Justice Tariq Mahmood Bajwa, heard the intra‑court appeal regarding the permission granted earlier by a single bench for Sheikh Rashid Ahmed to travel abroad for performing Umrah.

The government’s legal team insisted that the earlier order allowing Rashid to go for Umrah should be declared null and void, arguing that his name was on the stop list (Exit Control List) due to the ongoing May 9 GHQ attack case. They asked the division bench to overturn the earlier decision and clarify procedural issues.

Legal Arguments and Constitutional Concerns

During the hearing, the bench raised significant legal and constitutional questions about whether the single bench had the authority to grant travel permission and under what circumstances a person involved in a case can be allowed to travel. The court also examined whether fundamental rights such as freedom of movement and travel abroad under the Constitution should be considered alongside the legal restrictions posed by ongoing criminal proceedings.

Both parties presented their positions, with advocates stressing constitutional rights and government counsel highlighting the legal basis for restrictions due to pending cases. The division bench noted that it would take time to review these complex issues carefully before issuing a final verdict.

Court Reserves Decision

After hearing all arguments, the Lahore High Court bench reserved its decision, meaning the formal ruling on whether the previous order will stand or be overturned will be announced at a later date. Parties will return to the court on the new date for the judgment.

This case highlights ongoing judicial scrutiny of cases involving legal restrictions on travel for individuals facing serious charges, while balancing constitutional rights and procedural law.