SC rejects Rao Anwar's plea seeking removal of name from ECL

CJP irked by 'special treatment' being meted out to the former cop

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected former SSP Rao Anwar’s plea seeking removal of his name from the exit control list (ECL).

Anwar, prime suspect in the ‘fake encounter’ of Naqeebullah Mehsud, had filed a petition based on the rule of laws which highlight that restriction in freedom of movement of an accused against whom an FIR has been filed and the rights of an accused person.

The matter was taken up by a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar. During the hearing, the top judge wondered who had acquitted Anwar. He was informed that the former Sindh police official was not acquitted but granted bail by Sindh High Court (SHC).

“He is talking about going abroad when his passport should be confiscated," the chief justice observed.



Justice Nisar recalled Anwar’s failed attempt to flee the country on a Dubai-bound flight in January, 2018 where he was stopped by immigration officials and the repeated warning that led to his appearance before the apex court in March, 2018. “We know how he was arrested,” he emphasised.

Anwar’s counsel said his client wanted to travel abroad to resolve “family matters”. Justice Nisar remarked that the family can come to Pakistan to resolve the issues. “He must want to launder the money,” he added.



Justice Nisar was irked by the ‘special’ treatment meted out to Anwar. “Why did you not inform the bench about the special treatment given to the former police official?” the chief justice asked Faisal Siddiqui, counsel representing Naqeebullah’s father.

Following the apex court’s decision to dismiss the plea, Naqeebullah’s father thanked the court for maintaining justice.