KARACHI – The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday adjourned hearing for three weeks on a contempt-of-court plea, seeking explanation from senior officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)-Passport Circle for their non-compliance with the court’s prior order to provide a citizen with a passport.
A division bench, comprising Chief Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi, was hearing a contempt-of-court application moved by Haseena, wife of Hashim, seeking compliance with court’s order of issuing her a passport. The applicant submitted that the SHC had allowed her prior constitutional petition on June 2, 2005 with the order to issue her a passport.
The authorities concerned were directed that either a passport be issued or the reason for refusal be communicated to the applicant in writing within four weeks of the date of her application. The petitioner submitted that despite a lapse of almost six years, no action has been taken so far. She said that she wanted to go abroad to see her ailing mother, but she died in the meantime.
Deputy Attorney General Umer Hayat Sindhu was issued show-cause notice seeking explanation why no action was taken against the respondents, FIA Passport Director Khair Muhammad and Assistant Director Ghulam Muhammad Sheikh, for their inaction.
Citing the FIA Passport director and the Interior Ministry as respondents, the applicant pleaded for issuing her a new computerised passport. She also prayed to initiate contempt proceedings against the authorities concerned. The court adjourned the hearing for three weeks.
