NAB’s plea to put Nawaz, family on ECL rejetced

ISLAMABAD: The Interior Ministry on Tuesday rejected an application to put the names of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his children on the Exit Control List (ECL). Responding to the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) letter, the ministry asked to provide valid evidence against the Sharif family to include their names in the list. On the other hand, the NAB Chairman Justice (R) Javed Iqbal chaired a session in which development in references against Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Capt Safdar was discussed. The participants also shed light on the issue of putting their names on ECL, a private news channel reported. Earlier, a press release was issued by the ministry, stating the NAB’s request could not be entertained until the court orders for it. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said that no one can be barred from leaving the country without a reason, according to the Constitution of Pakistan.

He said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Nawaz Sharif has been attending all court hearings. Had there been an issue, the court would have directed for such action, he added.

Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said ECL should not be used as political instrument. He said the whole world had expressed shock over the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif in PanamaLeaks case.