LHC nullifies single bench order allowing Sheikh Rashid to perform Umrah

RAWALPINDI: A division bench of the Lahore High Court's Rawalpindi bench on Wednesday set aside a single bench order that had allowed Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid to travel abroad for performing Umrah.

Division bench overturns earlier permission

The ruling was issued by a two-member bench comprising Justice Jawad Hassan and Justice Tariq Mahmood Bajwa. The bench nullified the earlier single bench decision that had granted Sheikh Rashid permission to perform the Islamic pilgrimage of Umrah.

The development marks a setback for the former federal minister, whose travel plans now stand blocked following the reversal of the earlier court order. Sheikh Rashid, who heads the Awami Muslim League, had secured the single bench ruling in his favour allowing him to undertake the religious journey.

Background

Sheikh Rashid, a veteran politician and former interior minister, has been embroiled in legal proceedings. The single bench of the Lahore High Court had earlier passed an order permitting him to travel for Umrah, which was subsequently challenged and taken up by the division bench.

The division bench, after hearing the matter, decided to nullify the single bench's order, effectively revoking the permission that had been granted to the AML chief for travelling abroad to perform the pilgrimage.

The Lahore High Court's Rawalpindi bench has been hearing matters related to Sheikh Rashid, and the latest ruling by the two-member bench represents a reversal of the relief he had previously obtained from the court.

Further details regarding the proceedings and the arguments presented before the division bench are awaited.