Those on ECL need interior ministry nod to travel abroad.

ISLAMABAD -- Though the Supreme Court will issue its order later, Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial on Tuesday made it clear that any beneficiary of the recent amendment to the Exit from Pakistan (Control) Rules, 2010 should not leave the country without prior permission from the interior ministry until the cabinet comes out with a final decision in this regard.

The CJP made the observation while heading a five-judge SC bench that had taken up a suo motu case regarding apprehensions of undermining the criminal justice system by persons in authority.

Justice Bandial described the present times as unique where a political party with majority has left parliament and the country was in economic crisis.

This is an opportunity that while sitting in a truncated parliament, laws so devised should be fair, the executive must exercise its authority in a transparent manner and the three organs of state must maintain a balance, he observed.

AGP assures SC decision regarding removal from ECL would be made in consultation with NAB, FIA

Together the system should function in a balanced and transparent manner, the CJP said, adding that all subservient institutions and the three organs of state should not cross their domain.

There is a perception, the CJP regretted, that persons in authority have taken advantage of the system. He said that while the court didn't want to impose anything that may be uncomfortable for the government, every-thing should be done in a fair manner or the court will give an interim order.

All that the court wants to see, Justice Bandial observed, is that no impression should emerge that the criminal justice system has closed its eyes towards those who were taking advantage of the law.

'We want rule of law. We have identified that certain persons in authority were beneficiaries and were deriving advantage of their authority. Should we ignore this?' the CJP asked.

During the hearing, Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Ashtar Ausaf said the cabinet was still reviewing the issue regarding the Exit Control List (ECL) and no decision will be made in a hurry. Even today deliberation took place, he said, adding that new categories would be added and all individuals whose names were in the ECL will be documented whereas the exercise of discretion will be taken out and everything will be structured.

AGP assured the court that decision regarding removal of names from ECL would be made in consultation with the referring agencies like...