The Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed immigration authorities to record and provide written reasons whenever they offload a passenger from an international flight. The court held that such preventive action must comply with constitutional safeguards and due process.
Justice Raheel Kamran issued the ruling while deciding petitions filed by Muhammad Soban and Ali Raza against the federal government. Immigration staff offloaded the petitioners on December 24, 2025, at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, when they attempted to travel to Kuala Lumpur on visit visas.
The petitioners stated that they held valid passports, return tickets and hotel bookings, and that no criminal case or Exit Control List (ECL) restriction existed against them. They argued that the offloading violated their fundamental rights.
The federal government maintained that immigration officials acted under the Emigration Ordinance, 1979 and Standing Order No. 31/2005 after questioning the passengers’ travel purpose and financial capacity.
Justice Kamran held that while the state has authority to regulate emigration, it must exercise that power reasonably and transparently. He ruled that officers must record brief, specific reasons in writing and provide them to the passenger at the earliest opportunity.
The court clarified that the petitioners may travel in the future subject to lawful scrutiny and documentary requirements.
