Compulsory virus test for travelers: IHC orders matter to be placed before NSC

By News Desk

ISLAMABAD: A petition challenging compulsory Covid-19 tests for inbound Pakistani travellers was taken up by the Islamabad High Court, which on Friday ordered the matter to be placed before the government’s National Security Committee (NSC).

The bench summoned comments from the federation and the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis on Tuesday in this regard.

Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah conducted a hearing on a petition challenging a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) notification dated March 17 which made it compulsory for travellers to conduct coronavirus tests within 24 hours of travelling to Pakistan.

During the course of the proceedings, the petitioner argued that the decision for compulsory Covid-19 tests of citizens coming from abroad was not appropriate. He requested the court to declare the CAA notification as null and void, so people could return to their country easily. The court ordered to place the matter before NSC and sought reply from the respondents including Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis till next hearing.