PHC issues notice to federal govt on Swati’s petition

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Wednesday issued a notice to the federal government on a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former senator Azam Swati after he was disallowed to visit Afghanistan.

A two-member PHC bench comprising Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Wiqar Ahmad heard the petition of the PTI leader.Ali Azeem Afridi Advocate, appearing for the former senator, told the bench that Azam Swati had served as senator for three terms and a federal minister for once. He said that his client wanted to visit Afghanistan along with his wife, but he was not being allowed to do so by the federal government.

He said that the deputy protocol office at the Foreign Affairs Ministry had issued a verbal note on August 12, but the visa process of the former senator was stopped on the orders of Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. He said that it was his constitutional and fundamental right, which was guaranteed by the constitution.