ISLAMABAD – The Islamabad High Court has directed authorities to remove YouTuber Rajab Butt’s name from the Passport Control List (PCL).
In a six-page ruling, Justice Azam Khan ordered the relevant institutions to immediately exclude Rajab Butt’s name from the PCL, provided there is no other legal obstacle or order from a competent court.
The court observed that the authority to place a person on the Passport Control List is not unlimited and must be exercised in a fair and lawful manner, noting that such a restriction affects an individual’s fundamental right to free movement.
The high court further said that any such restriction must be backed by solid reasons, adding that the purpose of keeping a name on the PCL is to ensure a person’s appearance before investigating agencies or the court, and once that purpose is fulfilled, continuing the restriction becomes unnecessary.
Petition filed in LHC against police protocol for Rajab Butt
A petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court challenging the provision of police protocol to YouTuber Rajab Butt during his court appearances.
The court sought responses from the parties concerned and adjourned the hearing until May 11. The petition names the Punjab Police Inspector General, Deputy Inspector General (Security), and Rajab Butt as respondents.
According to the petitioner, Rajab Butt is currently facing trial in a sessions court in a rape case involving a woman, and the petitioner is a witness against him in that case. Despite being an accused, Rajab Butt is allegedly provided police protocol on every court appearance.
The petitioner argued that Rajab Butt holds no public office or government position, and granting police protocol to a nominated accused in a rape case is unlawful and amounts to misuse of public funds.
The petition has requested the court to order the withdrawal of the police protocol provided to Rajab Butt during his court appearances.