Geo-fencing data used to flag phone activity near demonstration sites, sources confirm
Authorities have blocked the passports and national identity cards of thousands of people allegedly linked to the May 9, 2023, protests. According to officials from the Department of Passport and Immigration, over 5,500 citizens in Lahore and various other cities across Punjab have had their passports blacklisted.
This development follows the recent sentencing by an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad, which convicted 11 people in connection with the May 9 violence. The charges included attacking the Ramna police station, assaulting law enforcement, arson, and terrorism.
The May 9 incidents refer to the attacks on state infrastructure that erupted in response to the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan on corruption charges. Numerous people were arrested in these cases, with trials held in both military courts and ATCs across different cities.
Sources explained that the names of many individuals were added to the blacklist based solely on geo-fencing data—using phone location records to identify those who were near protest sites. In some instances, this data alone was enough to place names on the list, even without direct evidence of involvement in the riots.
Some of those affected have provided proof of their innocence to police and security agencies. Nevertheless, their names remain on the blacklist, prompting hundreds to pursue legal recourse in the courts.
The Lahore High Court is now hearing dozens of these cases and has summoned passport authorities along with relevant documentation. During hearings, officials confirmed that these individuals’ passports had indeed been blacklisted.
Court proceedings have revealed that several people were merely present in nearby government or private offices or had only made phone calls to family members during the protests. Despite this, they were flagged by the mobile phone data.
The Department of Passport and Immigration told the court that it does not have the authority to add or remove names from the blacklist. That responsibility lies with the Ministry of Interior, which manages both the blacklist and the Exit Control List (ECL).
Reportedly, the Ministry has placed names on the blacklist for any perceived involvement in the May 9 events. Those affected cannot renew expired passports until their names are cleared.
The May 9 Riots
The May 9 riots erupted nationwide following the arrest of former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan. PTI members and supporters staged violent protests targeting both civilian and military sites, including Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
The military condemned the events as a “Black Day” and decided to prosecute the protesters under the Army Act.
In the aftermath, many PTI members were arrested and tried in military courts. In December, 25 individuals, including Imran Khan’s nephew Hassan Khan Niazi, were convicted, with an additional 60 sentenced later.
In January, 19 convicts were granted pardons after successful mercy petitions, though PTI leaders expressed disappointment that more pardons weren’t granted.
Initially, the military trials were paused by a Supreme Court ruling, but they resumed following court instructions to conclude the pending cases.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has vocally opposed trying civilians in military courts, arguing that it violates constitutional principles.
