Major Setback for PTI: Thousands of CNICs and Passports Blocked Across Punjab

Islamabad:In a significant development linked to the May 9, 2023 incidents, thousands of Pakistani citizens have had their Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) and passports blocked, including more than 5,500 individuals across Lahore and various cities and villages of Punjab.
According to sources from the Department of Passport and Immigration, the blocked passports belong to individuals allegedly involved in the May 9 unrest, which saw violent protests and attacks on military and government installations following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Sources reveal that the list of blocked passports includes not only direct suspects but also individuals who were on duty at private or government institutions at the time, and against whom no concrete evidence of involvement has been found. In many cases, inclusion on the blacklist was based on geo-fencing data, where the presence of a mobile or landline number in the vicinity of the unrest led to automatic blacklisting.
Even those who have submitted proof of innocence to law enforcement agencies remain on the list. As a result, hundreds of individuals have approached the courts to challenge the decision.
The High Court has summoned passport officials along with relevant records in multiple cases. In response, passport authorities have already submitted evidence and documentation regarding the blacklisting in court. During hearings, it has emerged that many blacklisted individuals were merely contacting family members during the unrest, resulting in their names appearing in geo-fencing records.
The Department of Passport and Immigration has clarified in court that it is not responsible for placing individuals on the blacklist or Exit Control List (ECL). This responsibility lies solely with the Ministry of Interior, which adds or removes names based on its own criteria.
According to officials, those whose names have been blacklisted due to any level of alleged involvement in the May 9 incidents will not be able to renew their expired passports until their names are officially removed from the blacklist.