PTI lawmakers challenge ECL, PNIL listings in NA

The National Assembly session on Friday witnessed a fiery debate as PTI lawmakers raised concerns over their names being listed on the Exit Control List (ECL) and Provisional National Identification List (PNIL).

During the session, chaired by Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah, Khawaja Sheraz Mehmood presented a calling attention notice on the matter.

In response, Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar explained that names are regularly added to and removed from the ECL and PNIL, adding that 60-65% of removals occur based on committee recommendations.

Tarar encouraged affected lawmakers to provide their CNIC numbers to the speaker's office for a detailed update. "We do not subscribe to the idea of perpetuating past practices," he said, adding that even his own name had previously appeared on these lists.

He further explained that some members are listed due to pending criminal cases.

Tarar stated that around 4,000 to 5,000 names remain on these lists, and rules for the PNIL are being formalised.

Khawaja Sheraz highlighted that several PTI lawmakers, including Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, Ahmad Chatha, Zartaj Gul, and himself, are listed.

"Despite a court order removing my name, it was reinstated the next day. I can't even get a passport to perform Umrah," Sheraz lamented.