A constitutional petition filed in the Supreme Court on Thursday sought apex court's directions to concerned authorities to put the name of real estate tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain ion Exit Control List (ECL). Filling the petition under Article 204 of the Constitution, the petitioner Muhammad Ashraf Gujjar made Secretary Interior, Secretary Defence, Director General Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Director General Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) respondents.
The petitioner contended that Riaz could flee Pakistan and that he would not be facing contempt proceedings on July 31, 2012. Gujjar pleaded that Riaz had intentionally ridiculed and scandalised the judiciary either to gain some ulterior motives for himself or for some other elements having vested interests in weakening the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which is committed to curb the menace of corruption in Pubic sector and within the power-corridors.
He further said the Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Rawalpindi has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Riaz on July 17, 2012, for illegally grabbing 1,401 Kanals of land near Rawat. Although, arrest warrants were issued, SSP Islamabad Muhammad Yousaf resisted Punjab Police's attempt to arrest Riaz. The Special Judge, Anti-Corruption Court therefore had issued-show cause notice to that police official. With a view to avoiding his arrest, Riaz has left the twin-cities. He is in Karachi as "fugitive, absconding the process of law," according to Gujjar. The petitioner claimed that the whereabouts of Riaz in Karachi were not generally know, giving birth to doubts about his presence in Pakistan. He also claimed that Riaz had his own plane and therefore could leave the country any time.