Latest news with #ExitControlList
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PHC defers Swati travel plea hearing
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has deferred the hearing of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Senator Azam Swati's petition seeking removal of his name from the Passport Control List and permission to travel abroad. A two-member bench comprising Justice Sahibzada Asadullah and Justice Dr Khurshid Iqbal adjourned the case until July 29, stating that no interim relief would be granted for now. The court emphasized that granting travel permission at this stage would be equivalent to offering full relief prematurely. During the hearing, Barrister Waqar represented Swati, while Deputy Prosecutor General Muhammad Ali appeared on behalf of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), along with a representative from the Passport and Immigration Department. Barrister Waqar informed the court that Azam Swati was offloaded at Islamabad Airport despite voluntarily appearing before courts in all pending cases. He stressed that Swati has substantial assets within Pakistan and has no intention to flee the country, especially as he is also a candidate for the upcoming Senate elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa scheduled for July 21. The NAB prosecutor responded that a major corruption inquiry is underway involving billions of rupees. He revealed that a suspicious transaction of Rs600 million was traced to Swati from an account linked to the Kohistan land scandal. Although Swati claims the funds originated from a 2016 land sale, NAB maintains the money was transferred in 2024, raising serious concerns. The court was also told that Swati failed to provide satisfactory responses to NAB's questionnaire. Justice Asadullah questioned the rationale behind placing Swati's name on the control list based on an ongoing inquiry, not a trial. The prosecutor compared the case to the infamous Ayyan Ali case, warning that premature international travel could hinder investigations, as seen in past instances. Swati's lawyer argued that his client is cooperating fully, has appeared in cases, and previously had his name removed from the Exit Control List (ECL) by the same court. He reiterated that Swati's substantial domestic assets indicate no intent to abscond. The court was also informed that the next NAB appearance is scheduled for July 16. The immigration official clarified that names are added to the list based on recommendations from investigative agencies. Following the hearing, Azam Swati spoke to the media, stating, "If a trial can be filed against my leader and his wife, if Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi could be accused of cattle theft, then surely I can be tried for selling my own home."
Business Recorder
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
LHC directs removal of name from ECL
LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday directed the secretary interior to remove the name of petitioner Shahid Javed from the Exit Control List (ECL). Earlier a law officer told the court that the petitioner's name was put on the ECL on the recommendation of Home Secretary Punjab. The court asked the law officer whether the recommendation of a provincial officer is binding on the federal government. The law officer informed the court that the petitioner is on bail and could slip abroad. The court said how the government could restrain a person on bail from going abroad. The court said if he would not come back then his bail will be canceled and directed to remove the petitioner's name from the ECL. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
02-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
DG NAB Lahore listens to public complaints
LAHORE: The Director General (DG) NAB Lahore, Muhammad Ahtram Dar, convened a monthly open hearing session in NAB Lahore which was participated by hundreds of victims affected by Ponzi (investment) schemes and illegal housing societies. The forum witnessed aggrieved complainants of Future Vision scam, Al-Rehman Garden Phase-4, Omega Housing Society, New Lahore City, Khayaban-e-Amin Housing Society, Formanities Housing Society, Elite Town Housing Society, and Grand Avenue Housing Society. DG NAB Lahore attentively listened to all public grievances and issued prompt directives for their resolution. Responding to the complainants of Future Vision scandal, DG NAB ordered an immediate direct inquiry and instructed the initiation of proceedings to place the prime accused on Exit Control List (ECL) along with publication of advertisements in national dailies. Regarding the complaints against Al-Rehman Garden (Phase-4) management, the DG NAB allotted one month deadline to investigation team for bringing conclusion of the case and to submit a comprehensive report. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Blocking of passports: officials pass buck to interior ministry
Passports of thousands of people across Punjab have been blocked for the last 2 years due to their suspected participation in May 9, 2023 rioting incidents — leading to cancellation of their international trips including pilgrimage to Makkah. Interestingly, geo fencing was used to identify the alleged rioters active in a particular area on May 9 and May 10 of 2023. As a result, dozens of people — including employees of government and private organizations, whose workplaces were located in those localities and who used phones during rioting — faced blacklisting of passports. A number of these people came to know that their passports have been blocked only when they arrived at the airport to fly to foreign destinations or went to the passport office for renewal of their documents. Dozens of such people have now approached the Lahore High Court (LHC). While hearing these petitions, the LHC has summoned passport officials along with records. In many of these cases, passport authorities have already submitted records to the court showing that the passports have been blacklisted. The Passport and Immigration Department told the LHC that the task of blacklisting passports does not fall under their jurisdiction and that the Ministry of Interior includes and removes names from the blacklist and the Exit Control List (ECL). They claimed that the names of the petitioners were added to the blacklist due to their alleged involvement in May 9 incidents. Those individuals whose names are on the blacklist or whose passports have expired cannot renew their document until their names are removed from the blacklist. Violent protests broke out across the country after the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan on May 9, 2023. During the turmoil, attacks were carried out on 39 military installations across the country between 3pm and 7pm of May 9. Most of these attacks — 23 — occurred in Punjab, followed by 8 in K-P, 7 in Sindh and one in Balochistan. Major military facilities attacked included the GHQ in Rawalpindi, the Corps Commander's House in Lahore, the Mianwali Air Force Base, and ISI offices in Faisalabad, Sargodha, and Rawalpindi.
Express Tribune
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Thousands of ID cards, passports blocked over involvement in May 9 riots
Listen to article Passports and national identity cards of thousands of individuals linked to the May 9, 2023, riots have been blocked. More than 5,500 citizens from Lahore and other cities and towns across Punjab have had their passports blacklisted, officials from the Department of Passport and Immigration told local media. The revelation came a day after Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad convicted and sentenced 11 accused to various jail terms and fines in cases related to the violence on May 9, 2023, over charges of attacking the Ramna police station, attacking policemen, setting properties on fire, and spreading terrorism. May 9 cases refer to the violent attacks on state installations in 2023 following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan over corruption charges. Several people were arrested in these cases, which were tried and convicted by military courts as well as ATCs in different cities. Read More: 19 convicted in May 9 riots granted pardon Regarding the blocking of passports and national identity cards, sources said names were flagged based on geo-fencing data, which captured mobile or landline numbers detected near protest sites. In many cases, this data alone led to individuals being added to the blacklist, even without direct evidence of involvement. Some of those affected have submitted proof of innocence to police and law enforcement agencies. However, their names remain on the blacklist, prompting hundreds to file legal challenges in court. The Lahore High Court has taken up dozens of such cases and summoned passport officials along with relevant records. In several hearings, officials have submitted documents confirming the blacklisting of passports. Read More: Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Yasmin Rashid indicted in May 9 riots case During proceedings, it emerged that many individuals worked in nearby government or private offices and had only made calls to family members during the unrest, but were still flagged due to their mobile phone location data. In court filings, the Passport and Immigration Department stated that it does not hold the authority to add or remove names from the blacklist. That power, it said, rests with the Ministry of Interior, which manages both the blacklist and the Exit Control List (ECL). The ministry has reportedly placed names on the blacklist for any degree of involvement in the May 9 events. Those whose passports have expired cannot renew them until their names are cleared. May 9 Riots The May 9 riots erupted nationwide following the arrest of former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan, after which PTI leaders and workers staged protests targeting both civil and military installations, including Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The military condemned the events as a "Black Day" and decided to try the protesters under the Army Act. As a result of the unrest, many PTI members were arrested and tried in military courts. In December, a military court convicted 25 individuals, including Imran Khan's nephew, Hassan Khan Niazi, and later sentenced 60 more. Also Read: Won't allow May 9 mayhem happen again In January, 19 convicts had their sentences pardoned following successful mercy appeals, although PTI expressed dissatisfaction over the limited number of pardons. The military trials had initially been halted following a Supreme Court ruling but were resumed following the court's instructions to finalize pending cases and announce judgments for those involved in the violent incidents. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has strongly opposed the trial of civilians in military courts, citing constitutional concerns.
