The immigration officials stationed at New Islamabad International Airport (NIIA) on Wednesday morning stopped former federal minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad from travelling to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah.
After getting court’s permission, the veteran politician was all set to board his flight for Umrah when he was barred by the immigration personnel from boarding the plane.
Talking to media men on the occasion, Sheikh Rashid said that immigration personnel did not allow him to depart for Umrah pilgrimage despite clear instructions from the Lahore High Court (LHC).
He said that he will once again approach the court and ask them “why they are not allowing me to go abroad?”.
Sheikh Rashid was nominated in GHQ attack case and his nephews Sheikh Rashid Shafiq is already serving a ten-year jail term.
Sheikh Rashid is accused of inciting workers from Lal Haveli to attack GHQ.
On October 31, 2025, Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi bench had allowed Sheikh Rashid to travel abroad to perform Umrah.
LHC’s Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan heard the petition filed by Sheikh Rashid. The lawyer of Sheikh Rashid told the court that despite the removal of his client’s name from the exit control list (ECL) his name is placed on the PNIL and passport control lists.
He further argued, “It is the right of every citizen to move anywhere freely”. On the other hand, FIA and the federal government stated that the name of Sheikh Rashid was included in these lists on the orders of the anti-terrorism court.
Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan said, “Allow Sheikh Rashid to perform Umrah, he will pray for betterment of the country.”
