Maryam seeks removal of name from ECL

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Vice President Maryam Nawaz Saturday approached the Lahore High Court for removal of her name from the Exit Control List (ECL) and to allow her to go abroad. A division bench comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najafi and Justice Anwarul Haq Pannun will take up the petition on Monday.

Maryam pleaded in her petition that the impugned memorandum of the interior ministry to place her on the ECL was in violation of her fundamental rights of due process, life, liberty and fair treatment of law.

She said her name was put on the ECL on recommendations by the NAB in a mechanical manner and without an application of judicious mind.

Maryam argued that the apprehension of the NAB did not appeal to reason, as in past she and her father had voluntarily returned to the country and faced trial. She contended that there was no default in her appearance before the trial court over a period of about one-and-half year.

She therefore prayed to the court to set aside the impugned memorandum and direct the government to remove her name from the ECL. She also asked the court to return her passport and allow her to travel abroad, as one-time permission, for six weeks.