PHC reserves verdict on petition against placement of names on ECL

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Friday reserved its verdict on a petition field by two persons against the placement of their names on the Exit Control List (ECL) following their deportation from Iran.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Abdul Fayyaz heard the case. The petitioners, Fawad and Haris, were represented by Noor Wali Khan Advocate and Roshan Khattak Advocate.

The court was informed that Haris, who had applied for a UK student visa and was granted one, and Fawad, who was traveling to Saudi Arabia, were both deported from Iran.

Their lawyers argued that deportation from one country did not legally restrict entry into another.

Haris faced further complications when he was denied banking services after being told his name was on the passport control list. During proceedings, Justice Arshad Ali questioned the assistant attorney general (AAG), asking why the petitioners were being barred from traveling. “Why are you stopping them? Let them go. There are no job opportunities here,” he remarked.

The AAG responded that the petitioners were attempting to travel illegally and could engage in anti-state activities abroad. Justice Arshad Ali countered, “Those traveling illegally don’t usually need passports.”

The AAG disclosed that a review committee had been formed to evaluate such cases, but the petitioners’ lawyers stated their requests for name removal had gone unheeded.

After hearing arguments, the bench reserved its judgment.