LHC orders removal of Rashid's name from ECL

The Lahore High Court's (LHC) Rawalpindi bench ordered on Wednesday the removal of Awami Muslim League (AML) chief and former interior minister Sheikh Rashid’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL)

During the proceedings today, the court expressed indignation at officials from the Ministry of Interior and issued directives to inform the court "in writing" by afternoon about steps taken for the removal of the former minister’s name from the ECL.

Ministry officials appeared before the two-member bench, comprising Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan and Justice Mirza Waqas Rauf, and informed the court regarding the interior secretary's unavailability due to a hearing at the apex court. 

During the hearing, the officials informed the court that the former minister's name was added to the ECL on June 23, 2023, at the National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) recommendation. "NAB sought information on the £190 million case," said the officials.

Read: Blame game on Rashid’s ECL listing

The court remarked that according to the NAB, Rashid is not an accused in the case and the two accused have already been indicted. The court again asked the officials the reasoning behind adding the AML chief's name to the ECL.

The MoI officials responded that the decision to remove Rashid's name from the ECL will be made after the formation of the new cabinet.

After a short recess, the hearing resumed again with the court ordering the immediate removal of Rashid's name from the ECL and permitted him to leave for Umrah.