The Rawalpindi court has issued a directive for the removal of Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL).
This decision came during a hearing at the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi bench, where the court expressed displeasure towards Ministry of Interior officials, instructing them to provide a written update by 2 o’clock regarding the progress made in lifting Sheikh Rasheed’s name from the ECL.
Representatives from the Ministry of Interior, including the Additional Secretary and Section Officer ECL, appeared before the bench, consisting of Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan and Justice Mirza Waqas Rauf. The officials cited the unavailability of the Interior Secretary due to prior commitments at the Supreme Court. They explained that Sheikh Rasheed’s inclusion in the ECL on June 23 of the previous year was based on a letter from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) regarding a reference involving 190 million pounds. However, the court questioned the basis of including Sheikh Rasheed’s name since NAB clarified he wasn’t an accused party in the matter, while two others were charged.
The Ministry of Interior officials informed the court that a decision on removing Sheikh Rasheed’s name from the ECL would be made after the formation of the new cabinet. Subsequently, the court adjourned the hearing.
Upon resuming the session, the Federal Interior Secretary appeared before the court, which promptly ordered the immediate removal of Sheikh Rasheed’s name from the ECL, allowing him to proceed with an Umrah pilgrimage. The Home Secretary assured the court of compliance with the directive, stating that steps were being taken to remove Sheikh Rasheed’s name. NAB, in response, asserted that Sheikh Rasheed had no pending cases against him.