The Sindh High Court has instructed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other relevant authorities to complete the repatriation or deportation of Bangladeshi nationals without unnecessary delays while strictly following legal procedures.
During the hearing, the petitioners’ lawyer informed the court that the applicants had already secured valid travel permits from the Bangladesh High Commission using Bangladeshi documents. However, despite possessing the required permits, FIA immigration officials had allegedly prevented them from leaving Pakistan. The counsel also stated that the applicants had encountered difficulties in obtaining the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC), although they intended to return permanently to Bangladesh.
The government’s lawyer argued that the applicants’ travel documents must first be verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He further informed the court that NADRA records would be examined and any Pakistani identity cards issued to the applicants would be blocked. The government maintained that proceedings under the Foreigners Act must be completed before their departure.
The constitutional bench observed that while every individual has the legal right to leave the country, the process remains subject to identity verification, immigration clearance and other legal requirements. The court emphasized that these procedures could not be bypassed.
The bench ruled that once valid travel permits have been issued, the relevant authorities are responsible for completing all remaining legal formalities without avoidable delays.
Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon directed the FIA not to create unnecessary hurdles in the applicants’ return and ordered that their repatriation or deportation, where applicable, be carried out strictly in accordance with the law. The petitioners were also instructed to provide all documents necessary for verification of their identity.
According to available estimates, more than one million ethnic Bengalis reside in Pakistan, many of whom settled in the country after the 1971 conflict that resulted in the creation of Bangladesh.
