Former federal minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Tuesday claimed that he was prevented from traveling for Umrah despite a court order allowing him to do so.
Speaking outside the Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court, Sheikh Rashid said he had filed a petition for contempt of court before Justice Siddiq Ali Khan after authorities allegedly blocked his travel. The court issued notices to the passport department and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) regarding the matter.
Sheikh Rashid added that the next hearing for the case has been scheduled for November 25, and his lawyer Sardar Abdul Razzaq has fulfilled all legal requirements for the proceedings.
The former minister also highlighted that the judge remarked on the unusual situation: “A person who has served as minister seventeen times is being stopped from performing Umrah.” The court is expected to review a final report on the matter in the upcoming hearing.
