Govt places Shahbaz Sharif’s name on ECL

On May 17, 2021 Last updated Oct 4, 2021

Shahbaz Sharif, brother of ousted Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and head of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), addresses a press conference after his brother's sentencing, in Lahore on July 6, 2018. Pakistan's former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was sentenced in absentia to 10 years in prison by a corruption court in Islamabad on July 6, lawyers said, dealing a serious blow to his party's troubled campaign ahead of July 25 elections. / AFP PHOTO / ARIF ALI

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has placed PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif’s name on the Exit-Control List (ECL).

According to a tweet by information minister Fawad Chaudhry on Monday, Sharif’s name has been placed on the ECL after the approval to do so was forwarded by the cabinet through a circular.

Chaudhry said the move was made keeping in mind all legal formalities.

“The relevant record has been updated in this regard,” he said.

کابینہ کی منظوری اور قانونی ضابطے مکمل ہونے پر نون لیگ کے رہنما شہباز شریف کا نام ایگزٹ کنٹرول لسٹ پر ڈال دیا گیا ہے اور متعلقہ ریکارڈ اس ضمن میں اپ ڈیٹ کر دیا گیا ہے

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) May 17, 2021

The Federal Cabinet had approved the inclusion of the PML-N leader’s name to the ECL through a circulation during Eid holidays after a request forwarded by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Sharing details of the decision, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed said he [Shehbaz Sharif] was put on the ECL as it would be difficult to bring him back if he is allowed to go abroad like Nawaz Sharif.