IHC seeks report regarding US diplomat's name on ECL

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Wednesday sought a report from the Ministry of Interior about putting the name of US diplomat Colonel Joseph Emanuel Hall, who had killed a motorcyclist here, on the Exit Control List (ECL).

Justice Aamer Farooq of the IHC heard the case filed by the father of Attique Baig for inclusion of the United States diplomat's name in the ECL.

During the course of proceedings, the court asked the deputy attorney general as to why any decision on the victim family’s application for placing American diplomat’s name on the ECL could not be made so far.

Justice Farooq expressed displeasure over Islamabad Police for releasing the accused without getting his blood test done.

The Station House Officer (SHO) of Police Station Kohsar informed the court that they had got verified the accused’s diplomatic status from the Foreign Office, who was involved in the investigation process.

The deputy attorney general informed the court that a committee had been constituted to decide the matter regarding placing the name of diplomat on the ECL.

The judge observed that the formation of committee was meant to delay the matter.

Directing the Interior Ministry and DAG to submit a report regarding placing Colonel Joseph’s name on the ECL, the court adjourned the case till April 24.