LHC gives govt one week to decide on Maryam’s ECL plea

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday asked the government to make a final decision about removing the name of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz from the Exit Control List (ECL) within the next seven days.

A two-member bench, headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, presided over the hearing into a petition filed by Maryam—the daughter of former premier Nawaz Sharif—to remove her name from the ECL so she can visit her ailing father in London.

Maryam was placed on the ECL in August last year. Before obtaining bail last month, Maryam had been in custody following an investigation into the Chaudhry Sugar Mills corruption scandal. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had arrested Maryam on August 8. In September, Maryam was remanded in judicial custody and on November 4 the LHC had granted her bail. Last week, the NAB had filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the LHC decision.

In her petition for bail, Maryam stated that she wished to go abroad for six weeks, expressing concern over the deteriorating health of her father, who is currently in London for medical treatment. She also challenged the legality of her name being placed on the no-fly list by claiming her arguments in the case were not properly heard, and asked the court to remove her name from the ECL.

Maryam has sought a one-time permission to travel abroad for six weeks from the date of departure. Another petition has been filed seeking release of her passport which is currently confiscated by the high court.

Maryam was placed on the ECL last year, along with her father Sharif, following their conviction in the Avenfield reference.