The Lahore High Court (LHC) has reserved its verdict on a plea submitted by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Farrukh Habib to have his name removed from the Exit Control List (ECL). The hearing took place in the LHC, where Habib’s lawyer, Ahmed Pansota, presented the request before Justice Anwarul Haq.
Following arguments from both sides, the court reserved its verdict on the matter of removing Farrukh Habib’s name from the ECL, signaling that a decision will be announced at a later date.
Farrukh Habib’s request was prompted by an incident at Lahore airport on April 28 when he was prevented from boarding a flight to Dubai. He was informed that his name was included in the No-Fly List, and as a result, his passport and luggage were confiscated. The reason cited for his inclusion in the ECL was his political affiliation as a member of the PTI.
In his plea to the court, Farrukh Habib sought the return of his passport and luggage and requested that the federal government remove his name from the ECL, allowing him to travel freely.
The Lahore High Court’s decision on this matter holds significant importance, as it will determine whether Farrukh Habib’s name will be removed from the ECL, enabling him to travel abroad without any restrictions.
The ECL is a list maintained by the Pakistani government, which restricts the travel of individuals involved in legal cases, investigations, or deemed a threat to national security. The inclusion of someone’s name on the ECL can have significant implications, such as the confiscation of their passport and limitations on international travel.
The court’s decision will be eagerly awaited by Farrukh Habib and his supporters, as it will determine his ability to exercise his right to travel freely. The outcome will also have broader implications, as it will set a precedent for similar cases in the future.
As of now, the Lahore High Court has reserved its verdict, indicating that a judgment will be rendered soon. The decision will provide clarity on whether Farrukh Habib’s name will be removed from the ECL and whether he will regain his passport and luggage. The court’s ruling will also shed light on the extent of individual rights and due process in cases involving the ECL.
