February 24, 2026
ISLAMABAD — Former Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed was blocked from traveling abroad for Umrah on Tuesday after his name was placed on Pakistan’s Exit Control List (ECL) for the second time, the latest development in ongoing legal proceedings linked to the May 9 incidents.
The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) dismissed Rashid’s application for overseas travel following a statement by the prosecutor, who said the Federal Investigation Agency, acting on instructions from the federal government, had reinstated Rashid’s name on the ECL. The move comes in connection with the May 9 and GHQ attack cases, for which several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders have been placed on the list, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Fawad Chaudhry, Shibli Faraz, and others.
Sheikh Rashid’s lawyer announced plans to challenge the court’s decision in the high court, arguing that reinstating his client’s name on the ECL violated an earlier court order permitting him to travel for Umrah and amounted to contempt of court.
Speaking briefly after the hearing, Rashid said he was surprised by the move, noting that his name had previously been removed from the ECL. “I am confident that the high court will grant me permission and I will perform Umrah,” he said.
This is not the first time Rashid has faced travel restrictions. In November 2025, he was prevented from leaving the country despite orders from the Lahore High Court allowing him to perform Umrah. At the time, Rashid, who had planned to travel to Saudi Arabia via Dubai, was stopped by immigration officials at Islamabad International Airport.
The former minister has repeatedly maintained that all relevant authorities were provided with copies of court orders to prevent obstruction, and he plans to return to the courts to seek redress.
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