ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the immediate removal of Rajab Butt’s name from the Passport Control List (PCL), terming the continued restriction a violation of fundamental rights.
The written verdict, spanning six pages, was authored by Justice Muhammad Azam Khan. The court observed that while the initial placement of Mr. Butt’s name on the PCL might have been justified at the time to ensure his appearance before the National Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), the grounds for maintaining the restriction have since evaporated.
“The continuation of such placement, after the Petitioner has joined the enquiry and in the face of a ‘no objection’ from the competent authority, is neither warranted by law nor supported by any rational basis,” the judgment stated.
The court further highlighted that keeping the YouTuber’s name on the watch list constituted an “unreasonable and disproportionate restriction” on his constitutional rights.
The IHC directed relevant authorities to “forthwith remove” Rajab Ali Butt’s name from the PCL, provided there are no other independent legal impediments or standing orders from other competent courts.
The YouTuber, known for his massive following and often polarizing content, had approached the court challenging the travel ban, arguing that it impeded his professional obligations and personal freedom. Legal observers noted that the detailed verdict reinforces the principle that administrative lists like the PCL cannot be used as a tool for indefinite punishment without active legal cause.
