ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to assist the police in ascertaining the whereabouts of two children of the owner of a famous eatery whom he took abroad without the consent of their mother. The court also ordered to block his computerised national identity card (CNIC).

IHC Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan issued the order on a petition filed by the first wife of the owner of the famous eatery of the capital.

The court directed the FIA to “disclose the requisite information to the station house officer to ascertain the country to which the respondents No 1 [the owner] and 2 [the owner’s second wife] have travelled along with the two children of his first wife.”

The court also directed the FIA to contact the Pakistan Consulate in that country to inform the immigration authorities therein that respondents are required to ensure the production of the children before this court by the next date. Further hearing in the matter was adjourned till July 18.

The SHO informed the court that on receipt of a notice from the IHC, he visited the eatery owner’s house and was informed by a security guard that he along with his wife and the two children had gone abroad.

The security guard was, however, not aware of the country they had gone to.

The court noted: “It does appear for now, in any event to the extent of the minor, respondent No 9, that she has been removed from the jurisdiction of IHC and that her mother has been deprived of her custody.”

He ordered the SHO “to proceed immediately with steps to block the CNIC and passports of respondents No 1 and 2 for which all authorities shall cooperate with the SHO on production of a copy of this order. For the purposes of their travel back to Pakistan, they will be issued emergency travel documents (ETDs).”

The court also directed to place the owner, his second wife and two children on the Exit Control List (ECL) and sought a compliance report by July 15.

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2024