Ephedrine case: ‘Don’t take Gillani’s name off the ECL’

He might flee the country to escape trial, says ANF.

LAHORE:

The Ministry of Interior and the Anti Narcotics Force on Monday told Lahore High Court that removing Syed Ali Musa Gillani’s name from the Exit Control List could affect trial court proceedings against him as he might try to flee from the country.

Justice Manzoor Ahmed Malik was hearing Gillani’s petition seeking the removal of his name from the ECL.

Counsel for the ministry and the ANF told the court that Gillani, son of former prime minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani, was wanted in the ephedrine case. They said a challan had been submitted in the trial court and if his name was taken off the ECL, he might try to flee from the country to avoid the proceedings.

Counsel for the ANF also submitted a report in this regard. Gillani’s counsel then sought some time to examine the report. The court accepted his request and adjourned the hearing till April 14.

The ministry had earlier submitted that it had placed Gillani’s name on the ECL on ANF’s request.

Gillani’s counsel Advocate Khalid Ranjha said the ministry had placed Gillani’s name on the ECL on May 15, 2013 over mere allegations. He said the Supreme Court had granted Gillani bail in the said case and had not issued any directions for putting his name on the ECL.

He accused the interim government of harbouring a grudge against Gillani as he and his father had criticised the interim government over the kidnapping of his brother, Ali Haider Gillani.

He requested the court to issue directions to the interior ministry to immediately remove his name from the ECL.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 11^th, 2014.