RAWALPINDI – The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday suspended the earlier order of a single bench that had granted former Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed permission to travel abroad for Umrah.
A LHC division bench passed the order on petitions filed by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Passport and Immigration authorities challenged the single bench’s ruling by filing a petition in the High Court.
The Division Bench, comprising Justice Raza Qureshi and Justice Jawad Hassan, heard the intra-court appeal against the permission granted to Sheikh Rashid for Umrah. After deliberations, the bench issued a stay order, temporarily halting his travel plans. Sheikh Rashid has also been issued a notice to appear before the court in connection with the case.
The court has adjourned the hearing of the case indefinitely. Additionally, the hearing of Sheikh Rashid’s contempt of court petition, which was linked to the same matter, has been rendered ineffective. The case is now set to be heard again on December 2.
This legal setback comes at a time when Sheikh Rashid has been embroiled in multiple legal challenges, including ongoing investigations by the FIA. The outcome of these proceedings will determine his ability to travel and the future course of his legal battles.
On Nov 18, 2025, former federal minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that he was not allowed to travel for Umrah despite a court order.
Speaking outside the Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC), Ahmed said he had filed a defamation petition in the court of Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan, after which the court issued notices to the Passport Department and FIA.
He added that the court has adjourned the case until November 25. His lawyer, Sardar Abdul Razzaq, has fulfilled all constitutional requirements in the matter.
Talking to the media, he said the judge remarked that a person who has served as a minister seventeen times is being stopped from performing Umrah.
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