NAB to explain why Sharjeel Memon's name should stay on ECL

Former minister is being investigated in corruption, embezzlement case

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed on Friday the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and interior ministry authorities to file their comments regarding the placement of the name of the Pakistan Peoples Party's self-exiled leader, Sharjeel Inam Memon, on the Exit Control List (ECL).

A two-judge bench, headed by Justice Ahmed Ali M Sheikh, sought their replies by December 9.

Memon, who is currently in self-exile in London, had moved the court last month against initiation of corruption inquiries against him and the placement of his name on the ECL.

NAB is probing corruption and embezzlement charges of billions of rupees in the Sindh information department. Memon said the federal government had placed his name on the ECL without any reason. The judges were informed that, despite various attempts, the memorandum for placing Memon's name on the ECL was not being provided to the petitioner by the Federal Investigation Agency.

In his plea, the former minister maintained that he wanted to return to the country but wants to return to London for medical treatment. During Friday's proceedings, Advocate Faiz Shah, on behalf of the petitioner, requested the court to order the interior ministry to take Memon's name off the ECL.

However, the judges questioned why the petitioner was reluctant to return to the country even after he had been granted protective bail. Shah replied that since the travel ban was in place, his client apprehended that he might not be able allowed to leave the country again.

At this, the judges directed the NAB prosecutor to file a reply explaining why the petitioner's name should not be removed from the ECL.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26^th, 2016.