ISLAMABAD: The coalition government has backtracked from the ‘Exit Control List (ECL) threat’ to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and other leaders after finding no political benefit after the verdict of the prohibited funding case.
The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz-led government and its allies backed down on the decision to put the names of PTI leaders held responsible in the prohibited funding case, including PTI chief Imran Khan, on the ECL.
Before the meeting of the federal cabinet yesterday, several government leaders including Rana Sanaullah, Musadik Malik and Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha openly expressed that the names of PTI leaders including Imran Khan will be included in the ECL, expecting the political benefits of the decision. In view of not getting it, the government withdrew from it.
Sources said that the previous record of former premier Imran Khan and PTI leaders after being in power and being removed from power was the main reason for the government’s decision.
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Sources added that Khan did not visit any foreign country on a private tour during his 3.5 years of his tenure, except for official visits, even he did not even meet his children. In a period of 3.5 years, Imran Khan’s sons came to Pakistan to meet their father.
They said that despite four months of ousting from power, neither Imran Khan nor any PTI top leader tried to go abroad even once.
Critics said that on the other hand, and the Sharif and Zardari families have continued their foreign visits whether they are in power or not. Former PM Nawaz Sharif lied and went to London for treatment despite being convicted by the court and is not ready to return now.
PM Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz have the same track record. As the time comes near for their conviction in the corruption cases, the father and son duo excused from appearing before the courts due to medical issues or medical examinations abroad.
Hamza did the same in the hearings of the money laundering case. Prior to his indictment in the corruption case, he departed for Britain on the pretext of meeting Nawaz Sharif and it would be difficult to predict about his return.
Critics said that Imran Khan has been in the opposition for four months and led a movement against the government besides facing many lawsuits, but not even once did he seek any relaxation due to medical issues or foreign visits to meet his children.