Interim Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Thursday confirmed that the caretaker federal cabinet’s sub-committee on the Exit Control List (ECL) recommended putting the names of former first lady Bushra Bibi’s trusted friend and confidante, Farah Gogi, and that of her husband, among others, on the no-fly list but clarified that there was no ban on anyone’s entry into Pakistan.
To a question about what purpose would it serve when the names of Gogi and her husband, Ahsan Jamil Gujjar, were already on the ECL, the caretaker interior minister said that legal formalities had to be fulfilled when the investigation agencies, including NAB, anti-corruption, intelligence agencies and other law enforcement agencies, sought placing individuals’ names on the list.
“To be frank, the discussion was not focused on individuals but on their cases and the necessary action which was required to be taken,” Bugti told The Express Tribune. “The committee has to ensure that no one is treated differently.”
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To another question if Gogi and her husband were already cooperating with the authorities concerned, what were the chances of their return to the country, Bugti said that he had no knowledge if they were in touch with the authorities, adding that they could return anytime if they wanted as “there is no ban on anyone’s entry into Pakistan”.
He explained that the committee had also recommended removing the names of several people who were no longer required on the ECL.
He added that no discussion took place regarding Bushra Bibi or any other high-profile people, saying most of the people whose names had been recommended to be placed on the ECL were non-political and not that famous.
Another official, who requested for anonymity, also shared that the discussion mostly focused on the cases rather than the individuals, saying that the minister’s approach was simple – deal everything on merit, give relief if one deserves, and no one should be discriminated.
The details emerged after the subcommittee’s meeting, which was attended by the caretaker Federal Minister for Railways Capitan (retd) Shahid Ashraf Tarar, officials of the interior ministry and other institutions.
The committee reviewed and deliberated upon different cases. The official statement said that the sub-committee recommended placing names of 17 individuals on the ECL that were sent by different departments and agencies.
During the meeting, the committee also recommended removing seven different cases from the ECL.
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The statement said that names of five people had been recommended to be removed from the ECL while considering their review appeals.
Though the sub-committee recommended putting the names of the individuals on the ECL, the final decision would be taken by the caretaker federal cabinet.
Meanwhile, another statement by the interior ministry stated that action against foreigners residing illegally in Islamabad was taken and 25 foreigners were detained from different areas of the capital.
It said that 57 foreigners living illegally had so far been arrested under the Foreigners Act of 1946 and transferred to Adiala Jail.
“Arrangements are being made to repatriate the detained foreigners,” it added.
The action was being taken on the orders of the interior minister, who, the other day announced that no one would be allowed to live illegally in Pakistan.
“Staying in Pakistan is possible only as per the laws of the country,” the statement read. “Action is also being taken against Pakistanis who support illegal residents.”
On Sunday, Bugti while announcing that the state would go to extreme lengths against all those who were involved wheat, sugar, urea, oil and dollars smuggling and hoarding, said that action would also be taken against the illegal immigrants and prize money would also be announced soon for sharing information about them.
The ministry’s statement declared that it was a crime to support illegal residents in the form of providing them housing, finances, and employment, adding that Pakistan’s laws should be respected.
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