LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday reserved its decision on maintainability of petition seeking removal of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL).

The plea was filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif to remove name of his ailing elder brother from the no-fly list without any conditionality imposed by the federal government.

In its 45-page reply submitted in the LHC, the federal government opposed the request seeking unconditional permission for Nawaz Sharif to go abroad, stating that the LHC does not have the jurisdiction to hear this petition.

The government also informed that it has allowed the former prime minister to travel abroad for four weeks. His name was added to the ECL based on the National Accountability Bureau s (NAB) recommendation.

The government requested the court to reject the petition as non-maintainable.

Earlier, Shehbaz Sharif’s lawyers Advocate Amjad Pervaiz presented copies of court orders in similar cases, stating that the Lahore High Court (LHC) has authority to hear this petition.

“There are many court verdicts that vindicate our stance,” he said, adding that example of removal of former president Pervez Musharraf’a name is in front of everyone.

On this, Justice Ali Baqir Najfi said Nawaz Sharif’s case has no link with Musharraf’s case as the latter was not convicted.

Advocate Amjad replied that super model Ayan Ali, who was jailed in connection with money laundering case, was also allowed to leave the country without any condition. The government cannot suppress anyone’s basic rights, he added.

It may be mentioned that the federal government  has set condition for Nawaz Sharif to pay Rs7 billion surety bond if he wants to travel abroad for medical treatment.  The government has also given only one time four-week permission to ailing Sharif to get his medical treatment in London.

The new condition has further delayed the three-time former Pakistan PM Sharif’s departure to London as doctors in Pakistan struggle to stablise his health condition.