'AQK's name not on ECL'

ISLAMABAD (APP) - Acting Attorney General here Wednesday informed the Supreme Court of Pakistan that Dr Abdul Qadeer Khans name was not placed on Exit Control List (ECL). The three-member bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Ch, Justice Ejaz Ahmed Ch and Justice Rahmat Hussain Jafferi resumed hearing of a complaint submitted by the nuclear scientist. Acting AG, Shah Khawar provided one-page document and apprised the bench that according to Ministry of Interior statement, Dr Khans name was not placed on ECL. To a query of bench, AAG said that two of the provisions in ECL Ordinance had already been struck down by this court and the Dr Khans ECL issue was not related to it. The CJ observed that Dr Khan was not demanding anything, but drawing attention to his general perception that upon airports he was informed that his name might be placed on ECL, and such provisions in ECL Ordinance were contrary to basic human rights. The bench adjourned hearing on the request of AAG for submitting further para-wise comments on the issue after taking instructions from concerned authorities. In his letter addressed to Chief Justice, Dr Khan had raised concerns over the issue of some provisions of ECL Ordinance and maintained that it was against fundamental human rights.

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