ISLAMABAD: A local anti-terrorism court on Tuesday dismissed former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed’s request to travel abroad for Umrah after his name was placed once again on the Exit Control List (ECL).
During the hearing, the prosecutor informed the court that, on the directives of the federal government, the Federal Investigation Agency had reinserted Rashid’s name on the ECL. The prosecutor said that individuals accused in cases related to the May 9 unrest and the GHQ attack had been placed on the list.
Judge Amjad Ali Shah of the Anti-Terrorism Court rejected Rashid’s travel application following the prosecution’s statement.
The federal government has decided to include several leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on the ECL in connection with the May 9 cases. Those named include Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Omar Ayub, Fawad Chaudhry, Shibli Faraz, Ali Amin Gandapur, Shehryar Afridi, Usman Dar, Shireen Mazari, Zartaj Gul, Musarrat Cheema, Kanwal Shauzab, Sheikh Rashid, and Major (retd) Tahir Sadiq.
Following the court’s decision, Rashid’s counsel announced plans to challenge the move in the high court. The lawyer argued that the court had previously granted permission for the Umrah trip and that placing his name on the ECL amounted to contempt of court.
Speaking briefly to the media, Rashid said he was surprised by the development, noting that his name had earlier been removed from the ECL. He vowed to approach the high court and expressed confidence that he would eventually secure permission to perform Umrah.
In November 2025, Rashid was similarly prevented from leaving the country despite orders from the Lahore High Court allowing him to travel. At the time, he was stopped by immigration authorities at Islamabad International Airport while en route to Saudi Arabia via Dubai.
