ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday sought approval to place opposition leader in the national assembly, Shahbaz Sharif’s name on the exit control list ( ECL) to stop him from leaving out of Pakistan.
The level of the treasury benches’ concern on Shahbaz Sharif’s possible travel to United Kingdom (UK) could be guaged by the fact that approval to ban Shahbaz Sharif’s travelling abroad was sought from the federal cabinet through circulation of a summary on the day of Eidul fitr.
The Lahore High Court ( LHC) had granted one time permission to Shahbaz Sharif last week to travel to UK for medical check up, but he was not allowed to travel abroad by the authorities at Lahore airport on legal ground a few days ago.
Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz ( PMLN) has announced to move the court for not adhering to its orders for permitting Shahbaz Sharif to go abroad for his medical check up. Its spokesperson , Maryam Aurangzeb, strongly denounced the government decision of putting Shahbaz Shaharif’s name on EC, calling it a direct attack on independence of the judiciary.
She claimed in a tweet that PTI government was scared of Shahbaz Sharif and putting his name on ECL was its undeniable evidence.
The government seems inflexible on Shahbaz Sharif’s leaving Pakistan for the medical check-up in UK. Federal Interior minister, Shaikh Rashid Ahmad’s statement to the press is indicative of a clear official policy towards Shahbaz Sharif’s travelling abroad.
Shahbaz Sharif’s case is likely to become a test case for judiciary and PTI government.
If one reads statements of important political aides to the prime minister it becomes quite clear as to how PTI government tends to take the court orders in Shahbaz Sharif’s case.
Here is a Shahbaz Gill’s statement wherein he spoke his mind clearly. He said : Those who used to get bails on Saturdays and Sundays were wailing for putting Shahbaz Sharif’s name on ECL on Eid day”.
This statement smells something special both for judiciary and PMLN. It also suggests PTI government’s future line of action towards higher judiciary of Pakistan.
Talking to media here , Shaikh Rashid Ahmad said ” We are reprenting for permitting Nawaz Sharif to travel to UK and now Shahbaz Sharif will not be allowed to leave Pakistan at any cost”.
