A division bench of the Lahore High Court on Monday sought reply from the federal government and others by March 12 on a petition of Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif challenging government's decision of placing his name on Exit Control List (ECL). Azam Nazir Tarar on behalf of the Shahbaz contended that the ban on his travel abroad has violation of his fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
He pleaded that the impugned order to place his name on the ECL was issued in an arbitrary manner and against the law and facts. He complained that no notice or opportunity of hearing had been afforded to him before putting him on the ECL.
He further stated that the impugned memorandum not only failed to disclose valid and correct reasons for its issuance but was also void for punishing him unheard. He contended that being leader of opposition in NA and head of a political party, he required traveling within and outside the country. He, therefore, asked the court to set aside the impugned memorandum and directed the government to remove of his name from the ECL.