Muzaffarabad/Washington, D.C. — July 21, 2025 | The Azadi Times: In a disturbing development raising serious concerns about civil liberties in Pakistan, a Kashmiri-origin Pakistani physician was forcibly removed from his flight to the United States earlier this month and prevented from leaving the country, reportedly due to his family’s peaceful political activities advocating for Kashmir’s rights.
Dr. Syed Rehan Toqeer, a qualified medical doctor from Kotli (AJK), Pakistan administered Kashmir, who had secured a valid U.S. immigrant visa and was on his way to reunite with his wife and family, was barred from boarding his flight at Islamabad International Airport on June 4, 2025. Despite successfully passing all routine immigration checks and boarding an Etihad Airways flight bound for New York, Dr. Rehan was abruptly escorted off the plane just before departure.
According to multiple statements by human rights activists and legal documents reviewed by The Azadi Times, Pakistani authorities informed him that his name had been placed on the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL) — effectively a no-exit list — without any prior notice, judicial order, or explanation.
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Punished for His Father’s Politics?
Observers and human rights defenders allege that Dr. Rehan’s ordeal appears to stem not from any wrongdoing on his part but rather his family’s long-standing political engagement. His father, Dr. Toqeer Gillani, is a prominent advocate for an independent and peaceful resolution to the Kashmir conflict and has often criticized both Indian and Pakistani policies in the region.
Raja Muzaffar, a board member of South Asia Democracy Watch USA and volunteer with Amnesty International, called the move “a classic example of guilt by association” and condemned the Pakistani government’s actions.
“This is not just about one man’s freedom — it’s a broader test of our shared commitment to dignity, justice, and the rule of law. Silencing families through such tactics is a violation of the most basic human principles,” he posted of social media.
Legal Struggle and Apparent Irregularities
Legal filings reveal that Dr. Rehan was kept uninformed of any charges against him. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) reportedly claimed his name was linked to a First Information Report (FIR) filed in Kotli, Azad Kashmir, in November 2024 — yet records show he was on duty in Lahore at the time and his name does not appear in the FIR itself.
Adding to the confusion, Kotli police even issued a character certificate for Dr. Rehan in April 2025, confirming he was not involved in any legal matter. Despite this, the authorities have repeatedly delayed court hearings for his petitions to remove his name from the PNIL, pushing the next hearing dangerously close to the expiration of his U.S. visa.
A Threat to Rights and Future
Dr. Rehan, who has already passed his USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 exams and is preparing for the U.S. residency match program, now faces the risk of losing his immigration opportunity and jeopardizing his professional career.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International USA, are being urged to intervene by:
Condemning the blacklisting as a violation of constitutional and international human rights.
Pressuring Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior and diplomatic missions to lift the travel ban immediately.
Monitoring the case to ensure transparency and accountability.
Broader Implications
The incident underscores growing concerns about collective punishment, arbitrary restrictions, and suppression of dissent in Pakistan particularly toward individuals and families associated with the Kashmiri cause.
At a time when Pakistan has repeatedly criticized India for its own human rights record in Kashmir, the treatment of Dr. Rehan highlights a troubling pattern of authoritarian overreach within Pakistan itself.
Call for Justice
Speaking on behalf of United Doctors Forum Azad Kashmir, a spokesperson expressed solidarity with Dr. Rehan and criticized the FIA’s conduct, calling it “a grave violation of both human and constitutional rights” and a loss not just for the individual but for the nation.
“We appeal to the Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Interior, FIA, and all concerned authorities to resolve this injustice immediately and restore trust among professionals and the people of Kashmir,” the statement read.
For now, Dr. Rehan remains trapped in a legal limbo — his future hanging in the balance, emblematic of the challenges faced by many Kashmiris who dare to dream beyond imposed political boundaries.
