LHC, taksicilerin havalimanı giriş yasağını onayladı

LHC upholds Pakistan Airports Authority decision to deny airport access to cabbies

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has upheld the decision of the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) to deny restoration of airport entry pass and taxi sticker to taxi drivers at Allama Iqbal International Airport, ruling that access to restricted airport premises is a regulated privilege rather than a vested legal right. Justice Raheel Kamran passed a verdict on a petition filed by Allah Bakhsh and others, challenging an order of the airport manager dated Nov 27, 2025, refusing to restore their airport entry pass and taxi sticker. The petitioners had also alleged favouritism, monopoly and discriminatory treatment in the operation of airport taxi services, seeking directions from the court to ensure equal business opportunities for all lawful taxi operators at the airport. The petitioners had previously operated as taxi drivers at the airport and had been issued entry passes and taxi stickers. After these permissions were withdrawn, they approached the high court, which directed the airport manager to decide their pending application after granting them a hearing. Rules airport entry pass or taxi sticker not an entitlement but a regulatory permission Following the hearing, the airport manager rejected the request, citing repeated violations of standard operating procedures, complaints of misconduct and concerns relating to passenger facilitation and airport discipline. The petitioners again approached the court and argued that the impugned order was based on stale and unverified allegations and violated the petitioners’ constitutional rights to lawful treatment, equality before law and freedom to pursue a lawful occupation. The PAA, however, maintained that no taxi driver possessed a vested right to operate from within the restricted premises of the airport. It said the airport manager had statutory authority to regulate airport access, determine the suitability of drivers and maintain discipline within airport premises. In its judgment, Justice Kamran held that the airport manager exercises statutory powers aimed at ensuring aviation safety, passenger facilitation, operational discipline and security within a sensitive public facility. The judge maintained that an airport entry pass or taxi sticker is not an entitlement but a regulatory permission subject to the continuing assessment and supervision of the airport manager. Addressing the petitioners’ argument of the constitutional right to livelihood, the judge observed that while the freedom to pursue a lawful occupation is protected by the Constitution, it remains subject to lawful regulation where the activity is carried out within a restricted and security-sensitive area. He noted that denial of access to airport premises did not prevent the petitioners from carrying on the transport business elsewhere but merely restricted their entry into a controlled facility in the larger public interest. The judge dismissed the petition, however, clarified that the petitioners are free to submit fresh applications before the competent authority in accordance with law. Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2026