The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday reserved the verdict on a contempt application filed by Model Ayan Ali against the ministry of interior for not removing her name from Exit Control List (ECL) despite the court's order. The SHC division bench, led by justice Ahmed Ali M Sheikh, heard the application and reserved the verdict after Additional Attorney General Salman Talibuddin and Ayyan's counsel Latif Khosa concluded their arguments. The date of judgement's pronouncement will be fixed later.
During the hearing, Salman Talibuddin submitted that petitioner's case is under proceedings and respondents did not violate any directives of the court. Complying with the court's order, the government had removed Ayyan's name from ECL. The contempt application is not maintainable and it should be dismissed, he requested the court.
However, counsel for the petitioner stated that placing Ayyan's name in ECL is illegal. Contempt proceedings should be initiated against the authorities for not striking Ayyan's name off from ECL despite the court's order, he argued. Earlier in March 2016, the SHC had directed authorities concerned to remove her name from ECL; however, it suspended the operation of its own order on the request of attorney general as the government wanted to challenge the decision in the Supreme Court.