Daily Times

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the interior secretary, Federal Investigation Agency and other respondents to file their replies on a petition by former provincial minister Sharjeel Memon through which he sought removal of his name from the Exit Control List (ECL).

A two-judge bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Junaid Ghaffar, also extended his interim pre-arrest bail in two corruption references until May 11. Memon petitioned the court, requesting it to order the authorities concerned to remove restrictions on his travelling, as he had to go to London for medical treatment.

On March 31, the high court had approved the bail for the PPP leader against a surety bond to the tune of Rs 2 million in each case.

Memon had contended that he was being politically victimised for his association with the PPP. He said that several fabricated and false cases had been instituted by the NAB against PPP leaders. Amir Raza Naqvi, the applicant’s lawyer, submitted that his client was innocent and had been implicated in corruption cases falsely. A reference was filed against him, whereas he had been issued a call-up notice by the NAB in connection with an investigation into allegations of illegal allotment and adjustment of lands in favour of Bahria Town.

The former information minister is facing a corruption reference relating to the alleged award of advertisements at exorbitant rates, causing loss of more than Rs 3 billion to the national exchequer. The NAB had also initiated an investigation against him for allegedly getting the state land allotted and adjusted in 43 Dehs at throwaway prices for the property developer, depriving the public exchequer of billions of rupees in revenue.