PHC orders removal of Asad Qaiser’s name from ECL

2-member bench comprising Justice Shakil Ahmad, Justice Sahibzada Asadullah heard petition filed by Muazzam Butt advocate

By Bureau report
February 23, 2024
The Peshawar High Court building in Peshawar. — PHC webite
The Peshawar High Court building in Peshawar. — PHC webite

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court on Thursday declared putting the name of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and MNA-elect Asad Qaiser into the Exit Control List illegal and unconstitutional and ordered the relevant quarters to remove the name from the ECL forthwith.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Shakil Ahmad and Justice Sahibzada Asadullah heard the petition filed by Muazzam Butt advocate.

The petitioner’s counsel informed the court that his client Asad Qaiser was a former speaker of the National Assembly and a law-abiding citizen, who wanted to go for performing Umrah.

However, he said that the petitioner was stopped at the airport and not allowed to go abroad as his name was in the ECL since June 23, 2023.

Assistant Attorney General Rahat Ali Nehqi and Federal Investigation Agency Additional Director (Legal) Abdur Rahman Afridi informed the bench that the petitioner’s name was placed in the ECL after a terrorism case was registered against him.