ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed the Director General (DG) Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to proceed with the matter related to offloading of passengers by the FIA at Islamabad Airport and submit a report on the issue. A single bench of Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir on Wednesday issued the directions in a petition filed by Ehtishamul Haq, who was offloaded by the FIA at Islamabad International Airport. Ehtisham, in his petition, prayed to the IHC to declare the offloading action by the FIA as illegal, void, without lawful authority, and of no legal effect. The petitioner apprised that on 13 June 2025, he was scheduled to depart for Azerbaijan (Baku) through a FlyDubai flight, but the FIA staff deputed at Islamabad International Airport stopped him and illegally offloaded him without assigning any reason. The petitioner annexed a copy of his passport along with the petition, whereupon the stamp “offloaded” has been affixed. He alleged that thereafter the FIA staff demanded illegal gratification of Rs80,000/- and on payment of the same, he was allowed to proceed to his destination. Justice Tahir, in his order, observed that the allegations levelled by the petitioner are serious in nature; however, the record revealed that before approaching this court, he had not filed any application before the DG, FIA, mentioning the alleged criminal activities at the airport. He noted, “It is by now well settled law that, to issue a writ of mandamus, the petitioner must first satisfy the court that he had earlier approached the concerned public functionary seeking performance of duty corresponding to his right allegedly violated.” “In the instant case, no such application has earlier been filed with the DG, FIA, which renders the instant petition as premature,” he added. Justice Tahir observed that since the allegations contained in the petition are serious in nature, therefore converted the instant petition into an application deemed to be pending before the DG, FIA. He directed the DG, FIA, to proceed with the matter in accordance with the law and submit a report thereof. The petitioner also requested the IHC to direct the respondents to remove/cancel the “offloaded stamp” from his passport and issue a fresh passport. He further requested the court to direct an independent inquiry into the conduct of the FIA officers involved in demanding and receiving Rs80,000 and direct the federation to compensate him for financial loss, harassment, mental agony, and reputational damage assessed at Rs200,000/- or any amount deemed appropriate by this court. He urged the court to direct strict departmental and criminal proceedings against the corrupt officials involved and direct the federal government to enact SoPs and regulatory laws in this regard, as the discretion of the agency leads to abuse of authority and resultantly chaos and agony, perpetuating the sense of distrust between the state institution and the general public. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026