Maryam Nawaz’s ECL case: LHC directs NAB to submit reply till Jan 21

Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday has sought reply from National Accountability Bureau (NAB) till January 21 on a plea filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz for the removal of her name from Exit Control List (ECL).

A two-member bench of LHC heard the petition demanding to declare the decision of putting Maryam Nawaz’s name on ECL.

During the proceedings, the PML-N leader has requested the court to allow her to travel abroad for six weeks only.

Subsequently, the court has directed the bureau to submit its stance and adjourned the hearing.

On Tuesday, federal cabinet had decided to include names of Maryam Nawaz and PML-N lawmaker Javed Latif in ECL in the case pertaining to Chaudhry Sugar Mills corruption.

Earlier, LHC had declared Maryam Nawaz’s petition seeking removal of her name from Exit Control List (ECL) as inadmissible.

The LHC directed her to approach the interior ministry.

In November, Maryam Nawaz had been granted bail by LHC in Chaudhry Sugar Mills case against two surety bonds worth 10 million and submission of her passport.

On August 8, NAB team had detained Maryam Nawaz outside the Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore for skipping appearance in Chaudhry Sugar Mills due to meeting with her father Nawaz Sharif.

The Vice President was unable to provide the required details of foreign investment in sugar mills.

She also failed to satisfy the bureau regarding source of income for purchasing the shares.

NAB had also claimed that three foreigners had transferred 11000 shares worth millions of rupees on Maryam Nawaz’s name.

On July 19, accountability court had turned down petition of NAB claiming Nawaz had produced a bogus trust deed in Avenfield reference.

On July 6, 2018, accountability judge Mohammad Bashir had convicted Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz in Avenfield properties reference.

He sentenced both of them 10 years and 07 years imprisonment, respectively.

She was arrested and shifted to Adiala jail.

Later, in September 2018, and released from jail after the Islamabad High Court suspended her prison sentence.

Maryam Nawaz’s Plea

The leader in her petition said the LHC had ordered the federal cabinet to decide on removing her name from the ECL.

But, afterwards, it decided not to remove her name from the no-fly-list.

She pleaded that her father Nawaz Sharif’s health deteriorated and he was under medical treatment out of the country.

“Being his daughter his care’s my responsibility,” Maryam Nawaz said.

She pleaded to the court to issue an order for removal of her name from the EC.

She also requested to return her passport.