LHC allows FIA officer to represent Pakistan at Int'l Horseback Archery event

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday granted interim relief to a Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) sub-inspector, allowing him to travel to Russia with his minor daughter to represent Pakistan in the International Horseback Archery Competition scheduled from July 16 to 30

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Jul, 2026) The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday granted interim relief to a Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) sub-inspector, allowing him to travel to Russia with his minor daughter to represent Pakistan in the International Horseback Archery Competition scheduled from July 16 to 30.

Justice Khalid Ishaq passed the order while hearing a writ petition filed by Najeebullah Khan Niazi against the Federation of Pakistan and others.

The petitioner was represented by Advocate and Muhammad Azhar Siddique, while Additional Attorney General Mirza Nasar Ahmad, assisted by Assistant Attorney General Shakeel Ahmad Pasha, appeared on behalf of the federation.

The petitioner's counsel argued that Niazi and his daughter had been selected on merit to represent Pakistan in the international competition. Despite submitting a complete application, along with the recommendation of the Pakistan Horsemanship Association, the authorities had neither decided his request for Ex-Pakistan Leave and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) nor communicated any decision, putting Pakistan's participation in the event at risk.

Considering the urgency of the matter, the court directed the Additional Attorney General to obtain instructions from the relevant authorities and ensure that a formal decision on the petitioner's application was made before 1 p.m. The matter was taken up again at 1:30 p.m.

During the resumed hearing, the law officer informed the court that disciplinary proceedings relating to transfer orders and departmental matters were pending against the petitioner.

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It was also argued that the petition involved service matters and was therefore barred under Article 212 of the Constitution.

After hearing both sides, the court observed that although the petitioner remained answerable to his department, the rights of his minor daughter, who had earned the opportunity to represent Pakistan at an international event, could not be adversely affected because of the pending departmental proceedings against her father. The court further noted that the petitioner had parental responsibilities towards his daughter that also required protection.

The court granted one-time provisional permission for the petitioner and his daughter to travel to Russia, subject to his undertaking to return to Pakistan, face all departmental proceedings in accordance with law, and produce a valid visa and return air ticket. The undertaking was submitted in open court and accepted.

The court also directed the respondent authorities to issue the required NOC before the close of office hours. It further ruled that if the NOC was not issued for any reason, immigration and other relevant authorities would allow the petitioner to travel abroad on the strength of the court's order.

The petition has been adjourned until after the summer vacation.