ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday allowed Ayyan Ali, a money laundering accused, to go abroad.
A three-member bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar took up the case for hearing.
During the hearing, the CJP asked the additional attorney general, “You have placed Ayyan Ali’s name for the third time in ECL. Just tell us how many suspects’ names who were involved in murder cases put into ECL by government? It seems as if you want to keep the accused in country at every cost.”
Justice Umer Ata Bandial remarked, “Attorney general sahib, we are asking from you about jurisdiction and you are defending the appeal. An investigation officer was murdered in Punjab. Did Punjab government lodge any complaint?”
Justice Nisar said, “Tell us when case was registered against Ayyan Ali.”
The AAG replied the case was registered on June 2, 2015.
The CJP said, “It is matter of regret that investigation of the case has not been completed despite lapse of so much period.”
Justice Maqbool Baqar said, “You are seeking help from us by violating the orders of Sindh High Court (SHC).”
Chief justice has upheld the decision of SHC rejecting plea of interior ministry for keeping name of Ayyan Ali in the ECL.
Allowing Ayyan to go abroad, the CJP said, “If a bank places someone’s name In ECL then we cannot conduct hearing by calling the bank.”
