Money laundering case: CJP displeased over 172 names being placed on ECL

The Supreme Court (SC) expressed its displeasure on Monday regarding the government's decision of placing the names of 172 money laundering suspects on Exit Control List (ECL).

The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar took up the money laundering through fake accounts case hearing. During the hearing, the CJP expressed his annoyance at the names of the people being on the no-fly list.

The chief justice asked who had ordered the names on the ECL to which the attorney-general said that he would look into the matter. The CJP then summoned the responsible person before the apex court, local media reported. The SC also ordered the federal cabinet to review its decision to place the suspects including prominent politicians on the ECL.

On December 28, the government placed the names of 172 on the ECL who were allegedly involved in the fake accounts case. The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) had revealed in its latest report names of 172 people allegedly involved in money laundering.

Former President Asif Ali Zardari, his sister Faryal Talpur and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto are among those placed on the ECL. The list also includes Pakistan Stock Exchange former chairman Hussain Lawai, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, former Sindh CM Qaim Ali Shah, former home minister Sohail Anwar Siyal along with several other renowned persons.