Former president Pervez Musharraf’s name was put on the Exit Control List (ECL) over his involvement in several cases, Express News reported on Saturday.

The Interior Ministry has sent a notification to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration in this regard.

On Friday, the Sindh High Court had ordered Musharraf to not leave the country without seeking prior permission of the concerned courts.

Justice Sajjad Ali Shah Shah had also granted a 21-day extension to Musharraf in the Benazir Bhutto assassination and Nawab Akbar Bugti case to appear and surrender before the trial courts.

Musharraf arrived in Karachi on March 24 after four years in self-exile to contest the upcoming general elections under the banner of his party, the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML).

He has filed his nomination papers for the National Assembly from three constituencies – NA-250 (Karachi), NA-32 (Chitral) and NA-48 (Islamabad).

Comments by Iqbal Hadi Zaida

What a pity! Former president Gen (R) Pervez Musharraf whom I address as my Bhaijan since I am born in Dec 1943 while he is born in Aug 1943 and we both are Urdu speaking in any case and therefore I have some affinity with him though I have never ever met him except that once I posted my message at President web site and his press secretary has replied me. He came back home on 24th instant to contest in election but unluckily since then he is facing untold odds. What pinches me the most is that he has been so much entangled with different court cases in different cities that he could not hold even one public meeting like leaders of other political parties have done. He had planned to address a public gathering at Quaide Azam mazar on 24th which was allowed but just a day before its permission was withdrawn
His name has now been put on ECL so now he has no option but to be within the country and face court cases at the expense of contesting election. I can only pray for my Bhaijan.
Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait