LHC to hear Pervaiz Elahi's plea to remove his name from ECL

Former CM Punjab, who was released in May, says he wishes to travel abroad to perform Umrah

Former chief minister of Punjab and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has filed a petition in the Lahore High Court (LHC) seeking the removal of his name from the Exit Control List (ECL).

The hearing on Elahi's plea to have his name stricken off the ECL is scheduled for today.

On May 21, PTI's President emerged from a yearlong legal battle, securing his release from prison without the usual press conference.

The LHC ordered his release, surprising many and fuelling speculation about the underlying reasons for his sudden freedom.

While previous instances saw PTI members released on bail only to be re-arrested, this time was different.

Justice Ali Baqar Najafi is scheduled to hear Elahi's petition. The petition has named the federal government and other parties as respondents.

In his petition, Elahi argues that he wishes to travel abroad to perform Umrah. He claims that the federal government unlawfully placed his name on the ECL. He has requested the Lahore High Court to order the removal of his name from the list.

Earlier this year on February 27, an anti-corruption court adjourned the hearing of the Punjab Assembly illegal appointments case against former chief minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and others till March 6.

The court summoned Elahi and other accused on the next date of hearing for indictment.

Anti-Corruption Court Judge Arshad Hussain Bhutta heard the case, wherein the jail officials produced Muhammad Khan Bhatti.

Several co-accused also appeared and marked their attendance during the proceedings.

The jail officials submitted a medical certificate and stated that Chaudhry Parvez Elahi could not be produced as he was sick.

The court also dismissed applications filed by the accused for provision of clear copies of the challan and related documents.