Musharraf not going anywhere, govt decides not to remove name from ECL
Musharraf is likely to file an appeal against the decision in Supreme Court.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Government resolved not to remove former president Pervez Musharraf’s name from Exit Control List (ECL) on Wednesday after holding detailed consultations, Dunya News reported.
According to Dunya News sources, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made the decision after thorough consultations with party leaders and Army Chief that lasted over 2 days. The majority of those consulted opposed the removal of Musharraf’s name from ECL.
Interior Minister has written a detailed letter to former president formally informing him about government’s decision.
Reportedly, Musharraf is likely to file an appeal against the decision in Supreme Court.
Former president had written to federal government requesting removal of name from ECL. Following government’s decision, Musharraf’s spokesperson issued a statement saying such a decision was expected and that government’s intention has been exposed through this decision.
The spokesperson said that court had made it clear that former president is a free man, adding that government’s decision will be challenged in Supreme Court.
It is pertinent to mention here that Special Court hearing Musharraf treason trial had said on Monday that it is the federal government that has put Musharraf’s name on ECL adding that only federal government can remove it.
Musharraf had pleaded the special court to allow him to leave the country to visit his ailing mother. Special Court’s registrar
Court had adjourned the hearing until April 15.
Earlier, a petition to stop Musharraf from leaving the country was filed in Supreme Court of Pakistan.
The petitioner Shahid Orakzai submitted that a person facing treason trial cannot roam around freely.
The petition has made Interior Minister and former president respondents. The petition maintains that a person guilty of treason faces either death penalty of life imprisonment, maintaining that a person who could be guilty of such grave charges cannot roam around freely.
