ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed today (Tuesday) has asserted that since former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s name is on the Exit Control List (ECL), his passport cannot be renewed.
“Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz names are on the no-flying list since August 20,2018, and their passports cannot be issued, neither renewed,” the federal minister said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.
However, he said that if the PML-N leader wants to return to Pakistan, the interior ministry can issue an emergency travel document within 72 hours. Rashid observed that it was the verdict of the high court that Nawaz should return to the country.
Commenting on the former premier’s departure, the veteran politician said, “Those who leave the country for politics can do anything for votes,” adding, “What sort of a politician leaves the country by deceiving [the authorities]. The court’s one-time exemption to him was misused.”
Talking about the Senate elections, he said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) will emerge victorious in the upcoming Senate elections. “There will be political stability and reduction in rumour-mongering in the wake of Senate polls,” he added.
Earlier on Saturday, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that talks were in progress with the British government to bring back Nawaz Sharif.
