IHC rejects plea to put former CJ Rana Shamim's name in ECL

Islamabad: Islamabad High Court on Monday has dismissed a plea to put former Chief Justice of Gilgit-Baltistan Rana Shamim’s name on Exit Control List (ECL).

According to details, Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the plea on seeking the inclusion of former CJ of Gilgit-Baltistan Rana Shamim’s name on the no-fly list.

The petitioner’s lawyer requested the court to put Mr Shamim’s name on the ECL lest he should flee the country before or after starting the hearing of contempt case against him. He further pleaded with the court that Mr Shamim must be ordered to surrender his passport. 

The court while giving verdict on the petition said that the use of contempt of court is not to protect the dignity of the judge but it is for the public interest. The contempt case is between court and accused.

Chief Justice Athar Manullah remarked that it is the job of the government and not the court to decide whether the name should be put in ECL or not.

The high court also rejected a petition wherein the petitioner requested to become a party in the contempt of court case against the former judge.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah released the written order of the ruling on the petition filed by Advocate Rai Nawaz Kharal. He earlier today reserved the verdict on the maintainability of the petition after hearing arguments from the petitioner.