Court Diary
Islamabad: Former Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Fawad Chaudhry, filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court to have his name removed from the Exit Control List (ECL). The hearing was conducted by Chief Justice Aamer Farooq of the Islamabad High Court.
Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, while hearing the petition, summoned a representative from the Ministry of Interior on July 9.
During the hearing, the Chief Justice asked Fawad Chaudhry’s lawyer whether Fawad Chaudhry’s name was on the ECL or the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL). The Chief Justice remarked that a simple case had been made complicated, as the PNIL law had also been challenged. Since the law is now being challenged, a notice will have to be issued to the Attorney General.
Chief Justice Aamer Farooq remarked that he has generally been allowing people to travel abroad, especially in the summer when everyone is leaving. The government has added numerous names to the travel restriction lists en masse.
Addressing the Deputy Attorney General, the Chief Justice questioned the numerous lists that have been created. He remarked that everything related to Fawad Chaudhry is here, so why wouldn’t he return? Fawad Chaudhry needs to go for three to four weeks and will return thereafter.
Subsequently, the court adjourned the hearing until July 9.
Speaking to the media outside the Islamabad High Court, former Federal Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that by September, a major movement will begin in Pakistan due to the unbearable inflation affecting businesses.
The former minister stated that Asad Qaiser and Mehmood Achakzai have been given the mandate of the alliance and should be trusted to fulfill it.
He mentioned that millions of people in Pakistan have been put on the passport stop list. He added that he needs to attend the CPEC conference and found out that his name is on the ECL. He requested the court to grant him permission to travel to China for two days. The court has issued notices, and he hopes to get permission soon.
