Anti-judiciary speeches: Names of two lawmakers, four others to be placed on ECL

The six held anti-judiciary rallies criticising apex court's decision of disqualifying Nawaz for life

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday ordered adding the names of six individuals, including two lawmakers, on the Exit Control List (ECL) in the anti-judiciary rallies and speeches cases.

Member of National Assembly (MNA) Waseem Akhtar, Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Naeem Safdar, Union Council (UC) Chairman Ayaz Khan, Vice Chairman Ahmed Latif and two others appeared before the court. "Where are culprits Nasir Khan and Jamil Khan who conducted anti-judicial rallies," the bench questioned district police officer (DPO) Kasur.



The DPO informed the court that both suspects had escaped and a search was ongoing for their arrest.

The petition was filed against anti-judiciary speeches by Kasur's district bar's president. A full bench, headed by Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Naqvi, also directed authorities to submit a report in court after the names are placed on the ECL list. The court also questioned regarding not adding sections of cybercrime act.

Further proceedings on the petition will be held on May 7.

Earlier this month, police booked 80 PML-N activists, five of them nominated, including a local MNA and MPA for allegedly staging a demonstration against the Supreme Court (SC) verdict of disqualifying Nawaz Sharif for life. The group used expletives against the judiciary.

Police claimed to have then arrested 45 suspects, including MNA Waseem Akhtar, MPA Naeem Safdar, Kasur Municipal Committee Chairman Ayaz Khan, Vice Chairman Ahmad Latif, two UC chairmen Nasir Khan and Jamil Khan and as many councillors.

Two FIRs were registered on the complaints of police officials and social workers. On April 13, scores of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers gathered on the Shahbaz Khan Road to rally against the decision. The protesters, led by MNA Akhtar, blocked traffic and burnt tyres.



According to the police reports, the speakers blocked roads and used abusive language against judges and agencies. The complaints claimed to have video recordings.