PESHAWAR, 07 AUG (DNA) —      The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has dismissed petitions filed by two former Afghan military officers seeking asylum in Pakistan, ruling that they had failed to prove any violation of their constitutional fundamental rights.

The petitioners, Abdul Mujeeb Ghairat and Baryalai Sharifi, had sought permission for temporary stay in Pakistan, extension of their visas and protection against arrest and deportation, citing serious threats to their lives if returned to Afghanistan. The court held that such speculative fears do not provide sufficient grounds for invoking the constitutional jurisdiction of the High Court under Article 199 of the Constitution.

According to the judgement, Abdul Mujeeb Ghairat had served as a special agent in the protective service of the former Afghan president, while Baryalai Sharifi had served as a general in the former Afghan National Army. Both argued that they would face grave threats to their lives if forced to return to Afghanistan.

The petitioners submitted Afghan passports and other documents in support of their request for emergency medical treatment, temporary residence in Pakistan, renewal of their visas and protection from arrest and harassment. Abdul Mujeeb Ghairat also informed the court that he had already submitted an online application for the extension of his visa.

The court ruled that matters relating to the stay of foreign nationals, issuance, extension or cancellation of visas and immigration fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of the relevant executive authorities under the applicable laws. — DNA