SC orders removal of Musharraf's name from ECL

ISLAMABAD: Dismissing the federal government's appeal, the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday allowed former military ruler Pervez Musharraf to go abroad. The apex court upheld the Sindh High Court (SHC) verdict regarding removal of Musharraf's name from the exit control list (ECL).

In a short verdict, Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali announced that the government's appeal had been dismissed. But he said the government or a separate court could technically pass a fresh travel ban if they provided valid reasons.

Faisal Hussain, one of Musharraf's lawyers, welcomed the verdict. "He can leave any time any time now -- there is no impediment or hurdle," he said. He said Musharraf needs to go abroad for urgent spinal treatment not available in Pakistan.

The high court on June 12, 2014 had ordered that the name of former president should be removed from the ECL.

The federal government had appealed against the SHC's decision to lift a travel ban which had briefly raised speculation that the 70-year-old could escape from a series of legal woes.

Opponents see the move as a ruse to flee the country and avoid a series of cases dating back to his 1999-2008 rule. These include an indictment for treason over his imposition of emergency rule in 2007, a historic first in a country ruled for half its existence by the military.