LHC seeks interior secretary's reply in CNIC contempt petition

LAHORE (Web Desk) - The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday took up a contempt petition filed by Daray Khan against Interior Secretary Muhammad Khurram Agha for failing to comply with court directions for deciding the pending petition of an Afghan-origin family after the cancellation of their Computerised National Identity Cards (CNIC) on the report of intelligence agencies.

The aggrieved Aghan-origin family has approached the court through counsel Ch Shoaib Saleem advocate.

Justice Farooq Haider heard the matter and issued notice to the respondent, seeking a reply within two weeks.

According to the petition, the petitioner had earlier approached the LHC through Writ Petition No. 22039/2025, challenging the cancellation of his family’s CNICs for allegedly being Afghan nationals on the report of intelligence agencies.

The court, in its order dated April 15, 2025, had directed the Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Muhammad Khurran Agha, to decide the petitioner’s application expeditiously, preferably within 30 days, after providing him an opportunity of hearing, and had also ordered that the petitioner should not be harassed in the meantime.

Also Read: LHC orders interior ministry to decide Pashtun family's CNIC appeal within a month

However, the petitioner submitted that despite lapse of the stipulated period, the respondent failed to comply with the court’s directions.

He maintained that the continued cancellation of his CNIC has caused him immense hardship and resulted in suspension of his fundamental rights, including sale and purchase of property, conduct of business, banking transactions and other lawful activities dependent on a valid CNIC.

The petitioner further stated that he repeatedly visited the office of the respondent and provided a certified copy of the court order, but no action was taken and no hearing was granted.

Terming the inaction as wilful disobedience of the LHC’s order, he sought initiation of contempt proceedings against the Secretary, Ministry of Interior, under Article 204 of the Constitution.

After preliminary hearing, the court sought a written response from the respondent within two weeks and adjourned further proceedings.