A constitutional petition was filed with the Supreme Court on Thursday seeking the placement of President Asif Ali Zardari’s name on the Exit Control List (ECL).The petition was filed by former senator Azam Swati through his counsel Tariq Asad under Article 184(3), making the federation through the secretary of foreign affairs and Interior, President Asif Ali Zardari, Hussain Haqqani, Salman Farooqui, Mansoor Ijaz, chief of army staff through the military secretary and Inter-Services Intelligence director general respondents in the case.
The petitioner submitted that it was reported by the New York Times quoting some Pakistani and Western officials last week that “President Asif Ali Zardari’s return to Pakistan from Dubai could be just a cameo appearance before his wife and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto’s death anniversary on December 27, 2011 and after that he would probably leave for a long convalescence in London or Dubai, he would probably leave for a long, perhaps permanent convalescence in London or Dubai”.
He contended that the news had been reported by all newspapers of Pakistan. Being the head of the state, Zardari’s presence in Pakistan in the circumstances mentioned in the accompanying petition is very important, the petition prays. The petitioner submitted that the matter of memo scandal was very serious and the sovereignty of state was in grave danger. He said President Asif Ali Zardari was sick; his life was very precious for the nation, hence he needed rest and he could get the best treatment in Pakistan and if need be, a team of medical specialists may be called to Pakistan and the expenses so borne should not be more than the amount allotted for his foreign tours for the year 2012.
The petitioner said Zardari’s presence was very important in the memo issue, as well as for the welfare of the state. He prayed that the name of Asif Ali Zardari, be placed on Exit Control List until a final adjudication of the case or a direction be issued in the form of Hussain Haqqani’s order so that he may not leave Pakistan without the permission of the court. The petitioner further prayed to call for the whole record of cell phones calls, SMS and BBM of all the responsible officials, particularly Salman Farooqui, Farahatullah Babar and Hussain Haqqani and constitute a high level commission of at least three persons of high repute and integrity to investigate the memo case sent. He further submitted that from the facts and laws, it transpired that executives/rulers had signed some secret deal over the integrity, security and sovereignty of the country in lieu of their personal gains.
He further requested the court to direct the respondents to restrict the movements of Americans and all diplomats within diplomatic areas.
SC moved to place Zardari’s name on ECL
