ISLAMABAD: Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, the chief of Awami Muslim League (AML), was prevented from traveling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah on Wednesday. Immigration officials stopped him at Islamabad International Airport, despite receiving court permission. Rasheed had a written order from the Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi Bench, which cleared his travel.
His lawyer, Sardar Shehbaz, confirmed that the court had granted permission for Rasheed to perform Umrah. The court had also directed authorities to ensure no obstacles would hinder his journey. However, as Rasheed tried to board his flight, immigration officials stopped him, citing unknown reasons.
In a video message from the airport, Sheikh Rasheed expressed frustration over the situation. He accused the authorities of ignoring the LHC’s clear order, calling it a violation of justice. He quoted Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan’s directive, which had explicitly instructed the authorities to allow his travel without delay.
Rasheed revealed that two immigration officials, Abid and Tauqeer, told him he could not travel. They reportedly refused to acknowledge the LHC’s written permission, further aggravating the situation. Rasheed vowed to file a contempt of court petition against the immigration officers in the court of Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan.
Rasheed criticized the government’s disregard for court orders, saying that when a High Court order is ignored, one must turn to Allah for justice. He expressed confidence that he would eventually be able to perform Umrah and promised that the officials responsible for his inconvenience would face embarrassment.
