Federal Minister for Information and Technology – Fawad Chaudhry on Monday (today) confirmed that PML-N President and National Assembly Opposition Leader has been put on Exit Control List (ECL) and will not be allowed to leave the country.
Following the approval from federal cabinet, Shehbaz Sharif’s name has been put on ECL and relevant records have been updated, said the federal minister.
The federal cabinet decided to put Shehbaz Sharif on ECL through a circulation during Eid holidays after a request forwarded by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
کابینہ کی منظوری اور قانونی ضابطے مکمل ہونے پر نون لیگ کے رہنما شہباز شریف کا نام ایگزٹ کنٹرول لسٹ پر ڈال دیا گیا ہے اور متعلقہ ریکارڈ اس ضمن میں اپ ڈیٹ کر دیا گیا ہے
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) May 17, 2021
Addressing a press-briefing, Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, underscored the fact that Nawaz Sharif didn’t return to the country, how come Shehbaz Sharif would have have come back?
Five members of Sharif family are already abroad and the case against Shehbaz Sharif would have suffered delays if he was permitted to fly out of the country, he added.
Government Approaches Supreme Court Against LHC Verdict
Meanwhile, federal government has filed a petition in Supreme Court of Pakistan against May 7th LHC verdict which allowed Shehbaz Sharif to travel abroad for medical treatment.
The petition filed by Ministry of Interior contends against the LHC verdict citing that the honorable court’s verdict was issued without issuing notices to concerned departments.
Shehbaz Sharif Files Contempt Of Court Petition Against Government’s ECL Move
Shehbaz Sharif has submitted a contempt of court petition in the Lahore High Court, after he was prevented from leaving the country despite court orders.
It is to be noted that LHC gave one-time permission to Oppositon Leader of National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif to go abroad for medical treatment on May 7th last week.
Following the LHC verdict, Shehbaz Sharif had sreached the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore for his flight to Qatar. However, the immigration officials and Inspector Immigration Razia Parveen and Sub Inspector Immigration Rana Ijaz did not allow him to board his flight.
The PML-N leader was informed that he could not be allowed to fly abroad due to the inclusion of his name in the PNIL. Initially, the said officials were reluctant to provide anything in writing. However, later upon insistence, he was handed over a Performa showing remarks (Not Updated in IBMS System) (PNIL Note Pad).
