Bilawal says removal of his name from ECL not a favour to him

Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Imran Khan who had questioned lawmakers' love for Pakistan and their fear of being place on Exit Control List, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto has said that he would have answered the premier had he shown up at the Parliament.

Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Bilawal said that he would have responded to the premier face-to-face over his tweet, in which the PM had asked why lawmakers were always so keen to go abroad. "I would have responded to the premier face-to-face had he shown up at the Parliament. But the premier does not have the courage to do so," the PPP chairman.

The PPP chairman added that he was grateful for all the Parliament members who supported him against the government's decision of placing him on the ECL. He further said that he does not care whether the federal government removes his name or not. "It is not a favor to me," Bhutto added.

Bilawal was referring to the PM's tweet earlier today, in which he had criticised the lawmakers over their frequent trips to abroad. The premier tweeted, "Why are some of our lawmakers so scared of the ECL? Why are they so keen to go abroad? There is so much work to be done by politicians in and for Pakistan - the land they claim to love but some cannot wait to take frequent trips abroad & lawmakers have iqamas or residencies abroad."

Following the premier's tweet, Bhutto responded on his Twitter handle and said,"Obviously selected PM doesn't understand the concept of human rights or freedom of movement".

Obviously selected PM doesn’t understand the concept of human rights or freedom of movement. Funny it’s only the opposition members on ECL, government members are busy travelling. Including PM who despite promising not to travel for 1st 6months has made more than 7 trips so far! https://t.co/uGfCfzyAyA

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) January 17, 2019