Pakistan

SC upholds SHC decision to remove Musharraf's name from ECL

In June 2014 the federal government challenged the decision of the SHC to remove Musharraf’s name from the ECL

Hasnaat Mailk March 16, 2016

In June 2014 the federal government challenged the decision of the SHC to remove Musharraf’s name from the ECL. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the federal government's two-year-old appeal against the Sindh High Court (SHC) decision to remove former president Pervez Musharraf's name from the Exit Control List (ECL).

In the appeal filed in June 2014, the government had requested to suspend the SHC decision, asking the Supreme Court to stop Musharraf from traveling abroad.

During Wednesday's hearing, a five-judge bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali allowed the federal government and the special court to take independent decisions regarding Musharraf's custody in the high treason trial.

Govt challenges SHC's decision to remove Musharraf's name from ECL

"Take your own decision about this matter," CJP asked attorney general.

The top court said that while it has not put any restrictions on Musharraf's travel abroad, it is for the government to decide whether or not his name should be removed from the ECL.

SHC orders removal of Musharraf's name from ECL

Then army chief Musharraf overthrew Nawaz Sharif-led government in a 1999 coup and ruled Pakistan until 2008 when he stepped down in the face of widespread opposition to his rule.

The Pakistan Muslim League-led government had for long declined to let Musharraf leave the country, saying it was up to the courts to decide.

The former president also faces treason charges for subverting and circumventing the Constitution by imposing emergency on November 3, 2007.

The federal government had placed his name on the ECL, stating he might try to abscond.

COMMENTS (17)

Gp65 | 8 years ago | Reply Let us see if the man who in 2012 said he is not afraid and will face all court cases does so or slinks away to New York to avoid facing the court. @AK Musharraf certainly did not show humanity for the dead or dying. He did not allow anyone to see the dead body of Akbar Bugti or pay respects. He did not allow Nawaz to meet his dying father and he disowned the soldiers who died in Kargill on Musharraf's order - refusing to take the dead bodies back. @curious2: Who has denied him a day in the court? It is Musharraf and his lawyers who are responsible for the delays in getting the trial heard.

saeed | 8 years ago | Reply @Babbarsher Khan: Yes, another five years for Sharif brothers. Musharraf may come back to jinnahpur after 7-8 years.

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Maria | 8 years ago | Reply @I am a Khan: Musharraf needs to be kept in jail. How else will people in the country understand that rule of law and the constitution is the most important thing for a nation to progress? Musharraf tool over illegally and ruled as a dictator for 9 years and he gets to fly away? Shame on the government if they let this criminal leave. It will only ensure more of the same behaviour.

curious2 | 8 years ago | Reply Govt that is afraid to govern -- that sum it up? The solution is obvious - rather than drag legal proceeding out forever - give the man his day in court and determine whether he's guilty or not.

Dipak | 8 years ago | Reply Soon, Mushy will stroll around Central Park where he has a luxurious Condo in New York.

Parvez | 8 years ago | Reply The S.C did the right thing by passing it back to the government to decided.......this is not a legal issue, its a political one.

Babbarsher Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Bhag Musharraf, bhag!

echoboom | 8 years ago | Reply Remove him from ECL... His exit to the next world should be facilitated SOON!

saeed | 8 years ago | Reply @Hifza: So you mean court decisions are not based on law and justice but rather on personal enmity? What a terrible thinking. It looks all high up get personal for things.

Sodomite | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan's judiciary is like an Indian movie, some people die then before the end they rise and join the family comes together. You can walk out of the movie theater for an hour and come back to follow the plot not missing a thing. Isn't that the same in Mush's case??

Hifza | 8 years ago | Reply This is same Supreme Court which Musharaf tried to malign at the tiem when he was in power. Now he is asking for a relief from the same judiciary.

Dilpazeer | 8 years ago | Reply Why Musharaf not showing confidence in Army Doctors. You can't just blame politicians who take refuge in other countries in the name of "medical treatment".

I am a Khan | 8 years ago | Reply I dont think Nawaz will allow Musharraf to leave. The PM is intoxicated with power and wealth and has forgotten the day when all will be standing in front of the Real King of kings...not just the PM, every human gets intoxicated with wealth and power and forgets about the day of judgement...

Brainy Bhaijan | 8 years ago | Reply The GHQ generals want him to leave the country. Mr. Nawaz is not going to create any hurdle in such matters now. He has learnt from the dhrana episode that puppets like Imran khan can be used by the generals at any time.

naveed choudhary, advocate | 8 years ago | Reply the honourable court granted relief to an accused who always defied the court's orders.

pangolin | 8 years ago | Reply @AK: Janab nation will forgive anybody. Dont you count on them. btw, humanity and Mush? Please stop using the two words in the same sentence. Dont you waste your time to tell me that Mush is innocent. Investigations against his predecessor are underway. Mush's turn is imminent. Let investigations reveal his real self.

AK | 8 years ago | Reply The ball is in the court of Government. Show guts and humanity Mr. PM, otherwise this nation will not forgive you.

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