It will be difficult to bring Shehbaz Sharif back if he is allowed to travel abroad: Rasheed

It will be difficult to bring Shehbaz Sharif back if he is allowed to travel abroad: Rasheed

Lahore: Federal Interior Minister, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed while announcing that Shehbaz Sharif’s name has been placed on Exit Control List (ECL) said that it will be difficult to bring him back if he is allowed to travel abroad.

While addressing a presser, the interior minister said that already five members of Sharif family are absconders and wanted by government.

“Shehbaz Sharif had given the guarantee of his brother [former premier] Nawaz Sharif's return. Instead of bringing him back, he himself is running abroad,” he said adding that the Opposition Leader in National Assembly did not submit any medical reports just like his brother.

Sheikh Rasheed further stated that except Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President, names of all accused are on no-fly list.

“The case against Shehbaz is pending and if he is given permission to fly abroad, the proceedings of case would be affected. The law should be equal for everyone. We have added his name on ECL after cabinet’s approval and has informed all relevant authorities about the decision,” he said.

Responding to a question, Sheikh Rasheed said that he has no information about the ‘deal’.

Praising Prime Minister Imran Khan, the interior minister said that PM will get this country out of crisis.

Earlier, Federal Information Minister, Fawad Chaudhry also confirmed that name of the Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif has been placed on Exit Control List (ECL).

Talking to twitter, Fawad wrote that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President’s name was put on no fly list following approval by cabinet and completion of legal procedures.

“Relevant record has been updated in this regard” he added.

It should be noted that on April 22, the Lahore High Court (LHC) had approved Shehbaz Sharif on bail in a case about assets beyond means. On May 07, court also allowed him to fly abroad for eight weeks on medical grounds.

However on May 08, the PML-N President was offloaded at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal Airport from a Doha-bound flight by the immigration officials as his name was on the provincial identification list (PNIL).

The PML-N leader was issued a boarding pass but was barred from boarding the plane after immigration officers cited system update issues.