IHC reserves judgment over blacklisting of Bukhari

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Tuesday reserved its judgment in a case regarding placement of Zulfi Bukhari's name on the blacklist by the Interior Ministry on the recommendation of National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Justice Aamer Farooq of the IHC reserved the verdict after hearing arguments from all  respondents in the case.

During the course of proceedings, Justice Farooq observed that how a person's name could be removed from the blacklist on a phone call. He asked about the law under which dual nationals were blacklisted.

He observed that NAB had recommended to place the name of Bukhari on the Exit Control List (ECL), but he was only blacklisted. He also asked about the passport number, which had been cancelled.

The deputy attorney general (DAG) informed the court that the ministry had cancelled the Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) of Zulfi Bukhari.

Justice Farooq asked how one could be blacklisted through CNIC and what was its legal status.

The DAG informed the court that it was the standard operating system of the Ministry of Interior.

The Ministry of Law had approved the request on the recommendation of the Interior Ministry, he added.

The court asked how a visit to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah could be against national interest.

The DAG replied that Zulfi Bukhari was stopped in the national interest and later he was allowed to leave the country by use of discretionary powers.

Justice Farooq remarked, "What kind of discretionary powers. This was not a monarchy."

Later, Bukhari's lawyer contended that his client's business and family members were abroad. He requested the court to order for the removal of Zulfi Bukhari's name from the blacklist.

The NAB's deputy prosecutor, however, argued that the Bureau's request to the Interior Ministry for putting Zufi Bukhari's name on the ECL still existed.

After hearing arguments from the two sides, the court reserved its judgment.