Framework review: Nisar unveils plans to thin out exit control list

Black list and ECL to be merged; NADRA to help maintain central databank

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan gave his compatriots a tantalising glimpse of a new slimmed down exit control list (ECL) on Monday, as he promised to erase thousands of names from it within a month and introduce a central, people-friendly databank of the ECL.

“In future nobody will be put on the ECL without proper justification or for an unlimited time,” said the minister following a meeting held to review the progress on the new ECL framework. As for the names already on the ECL, unless the referring departments could justify them, thousands of names would be removed from the list after a month, he added.

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The minister also observed that there was no justification for having a blacklist in addition to the ECL. He directed the ministry and the passports directorate officials to take immediate steps to ensure there is only one list.

He gave the ministry a month to finalise its proposals after coordinating with the referring departments and ministries.

Nisar also directed National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) to assist in maintaining a central ECL databank to streamline the system and facilitate law enforcement agencies.

NADRA to register international charities

The interior minister also announced plans to register international aid groups through NADRA.

NADRA will extend its services and expertise towards devising an online mechanism for the registration of INGOs, the processing of their cases and regularising their activities in the country, according to the directives issued at the interior ministry.

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FIA corruption cases

Another meeting was held with senior Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials to review the progress in cases of mega corruption, money laundering and internal accountability. Nisar directed the FIA chief to present within the next two days a comprehensive proposal as to how a system of incentives could be introduced for FIA officials.

The meeting was informed that 79 mega corruption cases had been challaned while 30 were being investigated.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 7^th, 2015.