SHC reserves verdict on Dr Asim's ECL plea

KARACHI: Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday (today) reserved its verdict on Dr. Asim’s  plea seeking removal of his name from the Exit Control List (ECL) and granting him permission to travel abroad, ARY News reported.

A division bench of SHC was hearing a petition filed by the former petroleum minister, seeking removal of his name from the ECL and permission to travel abroad on medical ground.

During the court proceeding, Dr. Asim’s counsel Lateef Khosa pleaded to the bench that his client’s name was placed on ECL without issuing a prior notice, based on ill-intention. Hence, his name should be removed from the ECL so that his client could travel abroad for medical treatment.

The bench after hearing the arguments of counsel, reserved its verdict.

SHC REJECTS DR.ASIM’S PLEA PERTAINING TRANSFER OF POWERS 

Meanwhile, the high court rejected Dr Asim Hussain’s another plea, regarding power of attorney in the name of his son.

The PPP leader had requested to the SHC in a plea to allow him to transfer powers relating to his properties to his son.

The federation and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) opposed the plea during the hearing.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Junaid Ghaffar heard the petition.

NAB’s prosecutor adopted a stance that the accused want to grant maximum authority to his son before the announcement of final verdict against him in the corruption case.

ALSO READ: NAB OPPOSES REMOVAL OF DR. ASIM’S NAME FROM ECL IN COURT HEARING

Joining arguments, Dr. Asim’s lawyer said that these were mere allegations having no connection with the power of attorney. He said that federal government had granted permission to his client for transferring the powers and the anti-corruption watchdog did not challenge the central government’s orders previously.

Counsel Lateef Khosa argued that opposing the power of attorney is violation of basic rights by stating that NAB has all necessary details pertaining to Dr. Asim’s properties. He argued that the anti-corruption watchdog could raise the issue in the accountability court, however it could not deprive a citizen of his fundamental right.

The court after hearing arguments of Dr Asim’s counsel and law officer of tge Federal Government and NAB prosecutor rejected the plea.