Peshawar High Court Allows KP Minister Meena Khan Afridi to Travel Abroad

Peshawar: The Peshawar High Court has granted permission to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister Meena Khan Afridi to travel abroad for an official visit after temporarily removing his name from the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL).

According to a written order issued by the court, Afridi’s counsel informed the bench that the petitioner serves as the Provincial Minister for Education and Universities and is also the Pro-Vice Chancellor of a university. He has been invited by the German government to attend an official event and is scheduled to depart from Bacha Khan International Airport, Peshawar, on June 7. The provincial government has also approved his visit.

The court order stated that Afridi had learned that his name was included in the Exit Control List (ECL), PNIL, and Passport Control List (PCL), preventing him from traveling abroad. His lawyer argued that attempts to resolve the matter with the relevant authorities had been unsuccessful, prompting the filing of a petition seeking the removal of his name from the lists.

The court noted that the Deputy Attorney General was directed to verify whether Afridi’s name appeared on any of the travel restriction lists. The government law officer informed the court that Afridi’s name was only included in the PNIL and not in the ECL or PCL. FIA records showed that his name had been placed on the PNIL on September 25, 2025.

In its order, the court observed that since the petitioner’s name was only on the PNIL, the interests of justice required allowing him to attend the official event. The court directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to temporarily remove his name from the list to facilitate his travel.

The order further stated that Afridi is expected to return to Pakistan on June 16 after attending the university-related event. He has been directed to submit surety bonds worth Rs1 million with the Additional Registrar (Judicial).

The court clarified that the permission is strictly limited to the official visit and cannot be used for any other purpose. It also directed all parties to submit detailed replies and adjourned further hearing of the case until June 18.