PHC seeks copy of FO’s reply in Azam Swati case

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday directed the federal government’s law officer to provide a copy of the Foreign Office’s reply to the petitioner Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former senator Azam Swati seeking permission for diplomatic travel to visit neighbouring Afghanistan.

A division of the PHC comprising Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Wiqar Ahmad heard the petition. Azam Swati’s lawyer Ali Azeem Afridi informed the court that his client wanted to travel to Afghanistan with his wife on diplomatic grounds, but the federal government was not granting permission.

Upon this, deputy attorney general (DAG) said that the Foreign Ministry’s response had been submitted.

However, counsel for the petitioner told the bench that they had not yet received any copy of the reply. The deputy attorney general clarified that the response had been submitted on Thursday morning.

Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim then directed the DAG to provide a copy to the petitioner’s lawyer. The hearing was adjourned until October 22.

PTI leader Senator Azam Swati had moved the PHC when the federal government barred him and his wife from going to Afghanistan on diplomatic grounds.

Advocate Ali Azeem Afridi had filed the writ in which the federal government, deputy prime minister, chief protocol officer, deputy chief protocol officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Senate secretary, and secretary of Foreign Affairs had been made respondents.