SC seeks ECL details

ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court on Thursday directed Ministry of Interior to submit a detailed report about the persons whose names have been included in Exist Control List (ECL).
A three-member bench of the apex court issued the order taking serious notice of an application moved by Dr A Q Khan, who had been barred from leaving the country since years.
The bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry heard the application seeking clarification with regard to the legality of the ECL.
Justice Chaudhry Arif and Justice Arif Khilji were other judges of the bench.
The court asked Acting Attorney General Shah Khawar to bring the reply on 11 November so that figures could be brought to light.
“Whether the name of Dr Khan, the applicant, is on the said list or not,” the court further asked.
“Various innocent citizens feel agony and want to see their dears ones but the government has barred them to go abroad,” Justice Arif Khilgi remarked during the course of hearing.
It was the responsibility of Interior Ministry to solve masses’ problems, he said and asked why the apex court was being forced to interfere into government’s affairs.
Dr Khan’s name was placed on the ECL after being accused of running an illegal international network of nuclear proliferation.
Dr Khan waged a legal battle in Islamabad High Court to fight for his right to freedom of movement.
In this regard, the well-known scientist wrote a letter to Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry as part of his efforts.
The court finally adjourned hearing for 11 November observing that many citizens on the ECL were barred from leaving the country by the government of Pakistan.