Zulfi not Imran Khan requested removal of his name from ECL, says Faisal Javed

ISLAMABAD: Amid a wave of criticism directed at PTI chief Imran Khan over Zulfi Bukhari’s “escape”, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Faisal Javed Khan on Wednesday claimed that his party supremo didn’t use his influence to strike the wanted man’s name off Exit Control List (ECL), ARY News reported.

Speaking exclusively to ARY News, Javed maintained that Zulfi Bukhari himself orchestrated the whole process which led to the temporary removal of his name off ECL.

“Imran Khan didn’t break any law, he didn’t interfere in this matter and didn’t telephone anyone. Even Zulfi Bukhari didn’t know he was in blacklist,” said Javed, adding that temporary removal from the list requires a “small procedure” which was followed.

He added that even Zulfi didn’t know he can’t fly out of country and upon knowledge, did the needful without Imran Khan interfering or “influencing the procedure as reported by media”.

It is pertinent to note here that PTI chief Imran Khan’s close friend Zulfi Bukhari flew with him to Saudi Arabia on Monday despite being on the Exit Control List (ECL) for dodging an inquiry  by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Zulfi Bukhari is accused of owning offshore companies and having assets beyond his known sources of income and has dodged several notices from the anti-graft authority.

A letter written by Section Officer ECL to Director General Immigration and Passports says that Ministry of Interior has decided to grant one time permission to Zulfi Bukhari for performance of Umrah.

The permission was reportedly granted within hours after Bukhari was not allowed to fly with Khan for Umrah by FIA and immigration staff.