IHC orders passport issuance of Zain, Babar Awan ECL name removal

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) orders the passport issuance of Zain Qureshi and the name removal of Babar Awan from ECL. Zain Qureshi is the son of former Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq heard the appeal of MNA Zain Qureshi to issue a passport and remove his name from ECL (Exist Control List). The lawyer of Zain, Ali Bukhari informed the court his client’s passport, had expired. Furthermore, the Pakistani government added his name to the No Fly List (ECL).

Ali mentioned his client intended to travel abroad. He also requested the court order the director-general to provide him with a passport and remove his name from the list of persons forbidden from traveling abroad.

Hence, IHC orders the director-general (DG) of Immigration for passport issuance to let Zain go abroad. The court also postponed the hearing of the matter to April 29 after directing the DG. He also instructed court staff to send letters to relevant parties.

Meanwhile, Advocate Riasat Ali had also petitioned IHC for the removal of Babar Awan’s name from the ECL. Justice Saman Riffat Imtiaz heard the petition of Babar Awan today. The court resolved the case by ordering the relevant authorities to remove his name from ECL.

IHC orders to withdraw Babar Awan’s name from ECL.@BabarAwanPK #IslamabadHighCourt https://t.co/TLeRwZpsBm
— Minute Mirror (@minutemirror_pk) April 5, 2024

Click here to read why IHC decided not to review the plea against General Bajwa and Faiz

Earlier, Islamabad High Court ordered the name removal of Shireen Mizari from the Exit Control List. Shireen Mizari is a former PTI member and human rights minister.

In a separate petition, IHC Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq expressed displeasure over the non-removal of journalist Sami Ibrahim’s name from ECL. However, he had given the order to remove his name.

Justice Ijaz ordered the interior secretary to provide a report explaining why they had not removed the name of Sami from ECL within an hour.

Another renowned journalist Imran Riaz Khan has also been on the ECL list. It is significant to note several PTI members, activists, and affiliated people with it have their names on ECL.