LHC seeks immediate decision on FIA officer’s NOC

Justice Khalid Ishaq issued the direction while hearing a petition filed by FIA Sub-Inspector Najibullah Khan Niazi.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday directed the Assistant Attorney General to immediately take up the matter with the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and ensure an early resolution of a request seeking permission for an FIA officer to represent Pakistan at the International Horseback Archery Championship in Russia.

Justice Khalid Ishaq issued the direction while hearing a petition filed by FIA Sub-Inspector Najibullah Khan Niazi.

Appearing on behalf of the petitioner, Advocate Azhar Siddique submitted that Najibullah Khan Niazi, currently serving as a sub-inspector in the FIA, along with his 14-year-old daughter, had been selected to represent Pakistan at the International Horseback Archery Championship scheduled to be held in Russia.

The petitioner’s counsel informed the court that an application seeking leave and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) had already been submitted to the FIA Director General. However, despite the urgency of the matter, the department had yet to issue the required NOC, jeopardising the petitioner’s participation in the international event.

The petitioner requested the court to direct the FIA to issue the NOC without further delay and ensure that he was not prevented from representing Pakistan in the championship.

During the hearing, Justice Khalid Ishaq questioned why individuals selected to represent Pakistan in an international sporting event were being prevented from travelling abroad.

“The petitioner is going to raise Pakistan’s flag in Russia. A prompt decision should be made,” the judge observed, stressing that the opportunity to represent the country must not be lost because of administrative delays.

The court directed the Assistant Attorney General to contact the FIA Director General immediately, have the matter resolved without delay, and apprise the court of the outcome. Justice Ishaq further ordered that the issue be decided the same day, observing that any further delay in the petitioner’s departure for Russia would be unacceptable.

The hearing was adjourned until 1:30 p.m., with the court expecting the matter to be resolved before the case is taken up again.