Alleged issuance of passports to unauthorised persons: PHC Bar Association seeks action against official

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court Bar Association has complained of the issuance of passports to unauthorized individuals at the passport branch located in the Peshawar High Court and sought action.

According to a statement, the bar association had received complaints that passports were being issued to unauthorized individuals and Afghan refugees at the court’s passport branch. Taking notice of the matter, Bar President Ameenur Rehman Yousafzai Advocate dispatched a team led by Finance Secretary Subhanullah to inspect the passport office.

Bar Association Press Secretary Malik Nauman stated that eight individuals, including three women, were present at the time.Upon inquiry, it was revealed that these individuals were unauthorized and that their passports were being processed without the Bar’s NOC - non-objection certificate. The women were allegedly identified as Afghan nationals.

When the assistant director of the passport office was warned against misuse of authority, a scuffle broke out, which led toa physical confrontation.The bar association lodged a formal complaint with the East Police Station for the registration of a first information report against the official.