ISLAMABAD: The interior ministry on Tuesday refused to put names of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his family on the exit control list (ECL). Responding to a letter sent by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the ministry has sought ‘valid evidence’ against the Sharif family to include their names in the list. NAB’s request cannot be entertained until court orders for it, according to a press release issued by the interior ministry. Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has said that the ECL should not be used as a ‘political instrument’. He said the whole world had expressed shock over the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif in the Panama Leaks case. State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry has said that according to the constitution of Pakistan, no one can be barred from leaving the country without a ‘solid reason’. “Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif has been attending all the court hearings. Had there been an issue, the court would have directed for such action,” he added. Earlier on February 14, the NAB had asked the interior ministry to place the names of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and Captain (r) Safdar on the ECL. In its letter, the anti-corruption watchdog had recommended that the names of the accused be placed on the ECL as they could travel outside the country. Meanwhile, NAB Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal chaired a session wherein progress on references filed against Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and Captain (r) Safdar was discussed. Published in Daily Times, February 21st 2018.