SHC directs FIA to explain why student proceeding to UK was offloaded from flight

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed a Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officer to explain why a student travelling to the United Kingdom on the student visa was offloaded.

The direction came on a petition of a student, Bushra Habib, against her offloading from a UK-based flight on January 17.

The petitioner’s counsel Ali Tahir submitted that the petitioner was offloaded when she was travelling to the UK on the student visa to study at the University of Gloucestershire.

The FIA filed a report with regard to offloading of the petitioner. The federal law officer submitted that the petitioner was offloaded because of an order of the Supreme Court.

A division bench of the SHC headed by Justice Mohammad Karim Khan Agha, however, expressed dissatisfaction at the report and directed the FIA immigration deputy director to appear in person before the court and explain reasons for offloading of the petitioner.

The SHC directed the FIA officer to file a written statement explaining why the petitioner was not allowed to travel to the UK and whether her name was lodged in any FIR or whether any case had been registered against her or there was any other reason for her offloading.

The bench also directed the federal law officer to place on record if there was any order in the field from the Supreme Court with regard to offloading of the petitioner.

Open manholes

The SHC has directed the Karachi mayor Karachi, Chaneser Town chairman and managing director (MD) of the Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) to decide complaints of a citizen with regard to open manholes in the town.

A counsel for the petitioner had submitted that the petitioner made several complaints against open manholes in the area causing risk for pedestrian and vehicles.

He submitted that he had written letters to the Chaneser Town chairman, KWSC and one of his letters was received by the KMC secretariat but no reply had been received from these quarters.

The high court directed the mayor, KWSC MD and Chaneser Town chairman to decide the applications made by the complainant by providing him opportunity of hearing and pass a speaking order within four months.