Peshawar High Court Ruling On Travel Ban Restrictions In Pakistan

On February 27, 2026, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) ruled that authorities cannot impose international travel restrictions on citizens without prior notice, declaring such actions illegal and unconstitutional. This landmark decision came after accepting 36 petitions from residents of Kurram District who challenged travel bans and passport control measures. The court emphasized that government departments must issue a show-cause notice and a reasoned order before placing citizens on travel ban lists, except in cases of extreme national security urgency, where a notice must be issued within 24 hours. The PHC's judgment stated, "The Constitution allows restrictions on foreign travel only through reasonable legal measures and not through secret or indefinite administrative actions," and directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to return confiscated passports within 15 days. This ruling highlights the court's commitment to protecting citizens' fundamental rights against arbitrary government actions (ProPakistani).