Caretaker Interior Minister Muhammad Azam Khan Wednesday said that Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan had not called him to remove Zulfi Bukhari's name from the blacklist. Talking to journalists here, Muhammad Azam Khan said that an undertaking was sent by Bukhari to secretary interior, requesting for a month's permission as he was going to perform Umrah. He added that the secretary forwarded the undertaking to him, after which permission for six days was granted.
Khan stated that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) requested to add Bukhari's name on the Exit Control List (ECL), but the Interior Ministry placed his name on the blacklist instead, according to the Passport Act. To place a name on the ECL, prior permissions are required as part of a longer process.
He said there were also false reports in media and caretaker Prime Minister Nasir-ul-Mulk also inquired about the process. "He asked me what was going on in the media and I updated the Prime Minister on the matter immediately," Khan added.
On Tuesday last, Imran also denied making a call to Khan to request for Bukhari's departure from Pakistan. Bukhari also moved Islamabad High Court (IHC) against his name being placed on the ECL a few days ago.
Bukhari, a close aide of Imran Khan, was proceeding to Saudi Arabia alongside the cricket legend on June 11 when he was barred from leaving the country at Nur Khan Airbase. Bukhari was later granted six-day permission to perform Umrah by the Interior Ministry.
Bukhari moved the court against his name being placed on the no-fly list hours after returning to the country. Justice Aamer Farooq of the IHC issued notices to respondents after hearing the petition.
In his petition, Bukhari said the NAB had summoned him in connection with companies named in the Panama Papers. He said he only received the notices after his father forwarded them to him in London. Since he is an ordinarily a resident in the United Kingdom, Bukhari said, he had not violated any law.