IHC orders removal of Zartaj Gul’s name from ECL

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday ordered removal of former state minister Zartaj Gul's name from the Exit Control List (ECL).

Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri addressed the petition filed by Zartaj Gul, the parliamentary leader of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).

During the proceedings, the assistant attorney general presented the relevant case record before the court.

The judge questioned the state lawyer about the inclusion of Zartaj Gul's name in two FIRs, noting that actual terrorists' names rarely appear on the ECL.

He expressed concerns about political leaders being placed on the ECL merely for organizing political rallies.

The judge also questioned the state lawyer about accountability for such actions, observing that no gangster or terrorist had ever come to his courtroom seeking removal from the ECL.

Addressing Zartaj Gul’s counsel, Osama Tariq, the judge inquired if only two cases were registered against his client.

The lawyer confirmed that his client was on bail in both cases.

The court, noting that the charges were minor, ordered the removal of Gul's name from the ECL.

The court also directed the assistant attorney general to submit a report within a week.