IHC orders to remove EX-DG ISI’s name from ECL

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Lahore, 4th March: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the removal of former DG ISI Lt Gen (retd) Asad Durrani’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL).

Baaghi TV: According to reports, IHC has issued orders to remove the name of former DG ISI Lt Gen (R) Asad Durrani’s name from the ECL on Thursday.

As per reports, the case was heard by IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah. After hearing arguments from all parties the chief justice ruled that there was no basis to keep Durrani’s name on the no-fly list and that he has the same rights as any other ordinary citizen.

The IHC chief justice said that Durrani’s name was included in the ECL as it was said that an inquiry involving the former DG ISI was underway at that time.

Justice Minallah said that he has a right to freedom and added, “According to the records, no such inquiry is underway at present. The petitioner is a three-star retired general and [former] director-general Inter-Services Intelligence.”

Meanwhile, the judge asked if the federal government can place anyone’s name on the ECL.

The additional attorney-general (AAG) said that a reply should be sought from the Ministry of Defence’s representative regarding the matter.

Athar Minallah told the AAG that there was no need to do so and added that since no inquiry against the former DG ISI is pending, there is no reason to include his name in the ECL.

Therefore, Chief Justice Athar Minaullah ordered the removal of General Asad Durrani’s name from the ECL and adjourned the hearing of the case.

According to earlier reports, in May 2018, the former ISI chief’s name was included in the ECL at the request of the Military Intelligence Directorate.

Gen Durrani served as the chief of Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency from August 1990 till March 1992.

According to reports, he co-authored a book with former Indian spy chief AS Dulat, titled ‘The Spy Chronicles: RAW, ISI and the Illusion of Peace’.

General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi summoned Durrani to explain his position on the controversial book. As per reports, then-DG ISPR Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor had claimed that the former ISI chief was found guilty of violating the military code of conduct.

The DG ISPR had said, “He has been found guilty of violating the military code of conduct. His pension and other benefits have been stopped.”

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