The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the removal of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Zartaj Gul’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL).
On Wednesday, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri of the IHC heard the petition filed by Gul, the Parliamentary Leader of the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), requesting the removal of her name from the ECL.
During the hearing, both the assistant attorney general (AAG) and Gul appeared before the court.
The court instructed the AAG to remove Gul’s name from the ECL within a week and to present a report.
“You do not place terrorists’ names on the list, yet you bring assembly members to court. Should I summon the IG and inquire?” Justice Jahangiri remarked.
“A political leader holds a rally, and their name is added to the ECL. No cases involving gangs or terrorists have come before me,” he continued, questioning the rationale behind adding a political leader’s name to the ECL for organizing a rally.
The court inquired about the cases against MNA Gul, who has been appointed as the parliamentary leader of the SIC.
Her counsel, Osama Tariq Advocate, stated that replies had been submitted for cases 567 and 340, both under urgent miscellaneous applications.
The court confirmed that she was on bail in both cases.
Irritated, the judge said, “No cases of kidnapping for ransom or gang rape were presented, only cases involving assembly members with minor charges. All charges are bailable, yet their names are added to the ECL. We are removing the name now, but those who approve these listings will also be summoned in the future.”
The court adjourned the hearing, directing the AAG to remove lawmaker Gul’s name from the ECL and to submit a report within a week.
