SHC orders removal of Musharraf's name from ECL

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday ordered the removal of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf´s name from the Exit Control List (ECL), however the court has suspended the operation of its order for 15 days.

During this 15 day period, the government may appeal before the Supreme Court against the order. If the government does not appeal in the stipulated time, Musharraf will be free to travel.

A two-judge bench of the SHC comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Shahnawaz Tariq delivered the verdict on the petition against the placement of Musharraf’s name on the ECL.

"The court has allowed our appeal and ordered to strike down Musharraf´s name from the Exit Control List. The order will be executed after 15 days," said Musharraf’s lawyer Farogh Naseem.

The delayed execution of the order "will give time to the government to appeal in a superior court if they so desire," he added.

The court had reserved its order on May 29 after the defending counsel Barrister Dr Farogh Naseem, Attorney General of Pakistan Salman Aslam Butt and advocate Maulvi Iqbal Haider, who became a party in the case in favour of keeping Musharraf’s name in the ECL had completed their arguments.

It may be mentioned that the federal government had opposed the petition of the former president and contended that his name had been placed in the ECL on the direction of the Supreme Court in high treason case and high court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain and adjudicate the matter.

Musharraf, 70, flew to Karachi in April to undergo medical tests. He has said he wants the travel ban lifted so he can visit his sick mother in Dubai, but many in Pakistan see it as a ruse to flee the country and avoid the litany of criminal cases against him dating back to his 1999-2008 tenure.

Musharraf was indicted for treason in March over his imposition of emergency rule in 2007 -- a case seen as a test of civilian authority in a country long dominated by the military. He also faces several murder cases.

Legal experts’ remarks on removal of Musharraf name from ECL

KARACHI: The Supreme Court of Pakistan could extend the suspension of Sindh High Court orders for 15 more days in which the Sindh High Court ordered lifting travel ban on former military dictator Pervez Musharraf, legal experts said on Thursday.

The SHC while directing the government to lift travel ban on Musharraf further ruled that implementation of its order—removal of accused name from the Exit Control List (ECL)--- be suspended for 15-days so that the government may file appeal before the apex court.

“It seems the ball is now in the court of Supreme Court as it has to make a final decision,” says Justice (retd) Wajihuddin, former judge of the top court.

Eminent lawyer SM Zafar said that the Musharraf’s path to travel abroad will be clear if the government didn’t move the apex court against SHC decision.

Justice (retd) Tariq Mehmood said that although the reasons that were stated to put Musharraf on ECL were not substantial, the issue is now once again in the government’s hand.

Another law expert Babar Sattar said that the government will have to make a legal and political decision to resolve the imminent issue.

Afaq demands removal of billboards describing Altaf as ‘Father of the Nation

KARACHI: Chief of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement (MQM-H) Afaq Ahmed has demanded that banners and hoardings with the pictures of Altaf Hussain describing him as the “Father of the Nation” be removed immediately from the city otherwise his party would take legal course of action in this regard.

He said that Altaf Hussain and his party be taken to task for “dishonouring the founder of the country” by terming the MQM chief as the “Father of the Nation”.

“Hoardings, billboards and posters inscribed with ‘Father of the Nation’ are being posted across the city ahead of an MQM rally on Sunday to express solidarity with Altaf Hussain,” Afaq Ahmed said.

He said that if the banners and hoardings with the pictures of Altaf Hussain describing him as the “Father of the Nation” were not removed immediately, the MQM-H would take legal course of action in this regard.

He said that protests were being held against Geo for blaming a secret agency but why no action taken against a party that had caused disrespect to the founder of the country.