Pak Human Rights Commission slams invocation of ECL - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has expressed concern over the invocation of the Exit Control List Ordinance (ECL), under which the government can restrict certain people from travelling abroad. The Dawn quoted HRCP Chairperson Asma Jehangir as saying, that the practice of restraining people from travelling abroad without issuing them prior notice and adequately explainations was a breach of the fundamental right of freedom of movement, as duly provided for in the Constitution. She added that even those facing trial in court s should not necessarily be barred from travelling to other countries, and to prevent their escape, the court was required to order lawful assurance. According to the paper, Pakistani governments have been using the exit control list as a tool of political harassment, and it has not served any purpose of bringing perpetrators of crime to justice. Any arbitrary use of the ECL under the cover of a judicial ruling would be no small a calamity, Jehangir said.