The manner in which Zulfiqar Hussain Bukhari, a friend of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, was allowed to leave the country for performing Umra has generated a raging controversy. Understandably so, given that it involved violation of the core democratic principle of equality before law. According to reports, when he arrived at the airport along with Imran, his wife, and some others, Bukhari was stopped from boarding the plane by FIA officials and immigration staff because his name appeared on the Exit Control List (ECL). Yet, within an hour's time, he managed to get a one-time permission from the interior ministry to leave the country for six days. The ministry, of course, has the authority to place or take off names from the ECL, but there is a lengthy procedure for that. Clearly, rules were bent to grant favour to a person who is believed to be influential in his own right by dint of his wealth, and also because he is a close confidante of Imran Khan. The latter reason makes the case all the more serious since the PTI Chairman regularly denounces the prevalence of VIP culture in this country. Later on, it emerged that Bukhari's name was not on the ECL but on the 'Black List'. This list is ostensibly to stop people from entering the country.
Nonetheless, the episode raises several issues irrespective of the fact on which list his name was. First of all, it appears that procedural requirements were not followed, either, in putting his name on the ECL or the 'black list'. Common sense suggests had he been duly intimated about his status, he would not have arrived at the airport without getting his name cleared. Second and more importantly, according to media reports, his name was put on the ECL on the request of NAB as he was being investigated for owning an offshore company, which came to light in the Panama Papers. As it is, Bukhari is a British national, born and raised in that country. Hence this country's tax laws do not apply to him. He may be a dual citizen. Even so, one fails to comprehend as to why NAB should investigate him. For, the tax and other financial laws do not affect non-resident Pakistanis unless they have lived in Pakistan for 180 days or more. The individual in question is not known to have spent that much time in this country. It may well be a case of mistake or some confusion on the part of NAB. There is the recent example of a slip-up in the Asghar Khan case. PPP leader Khurshid Shah's name was wrongly included and later withdrawn from the list, presented before the Supreme Court, of people accused of receiving money from the ISI.
It is good to note that Caretaker Prime Minister former Justice Nasirul Mulk has sought a report from the interior ministry as to why Bukhari was allowed to leave the country despite his name being on the ECL. It is equally important to have NAB explain why it is investigating a foreign/dual national for alleged commission of wrongdoing outside this country. The confusion must be cleared.
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