ISLAMABAD – The Federal Cabinet on Thursday removed the names of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah from the Exit Control List (ECL) for the time being, after receiving the detailed judgment of Supreme Court.
Addressing a joint press briefing on Cabinet decisions, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Media Iftikhar Durrani and Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar on dispelled this impression that the government was in hurry to remove their names from ECL and added that the Cabinet had earlier delayed this decision as it had been waiting for a detailed written order of the court.
Shahzad Akbar said that the Supreme Court has directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to probe the mega money laundering and fake bank accounts case and ordered the authorities to remove the names of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah from the Exit Control List (ECL) for the time being.
He said that written judgment also clarified that NAB would not be prevented from probing the case against the two PPP leaders further and in case sufficient material was found connected to them with cognizable offences, it shall not be precluded from making an appropriate request to the federal government to place their names on ECL.
He said that SC order noted that putting Murad Ali Shah’s name on the ECL would create problems in performing of his official functions as chief minister.
He said that the court also observed that as far as the recommendations of Joint Investigation Team (JIT) related to Bilawal and Murad were concerned, the JIT’s counsel himself conceded that the material against the said persons might need re-examination to arrive at the correct conclusion.
He said the judge stated that all cases, which have not been concluded or in the opinion of the JIT required further probe, shall remain within the jurisdiction of the JIT which shall continue it probe and investigation under the mandate granted by the apex court.
He said that the court directed the JIT to complete the investigation within a reasonable time where after its report together with all material and evidence would be transmitted to NAB without the need for any further court order for action in accordance with law.
He said that the SC has ordered NAB to investigate the case in light of a report recently submitted by the JIT, probing the matter, and to complete its investigation.
He said that the bench mandated the National Accountability Bureau to summon whoever it wished, and instructed the JIT to continue its own probe meanwhile.
