Karachi: Sindh High Court SHC on Wednesday put Secretary of Interior Ministry on notice in a contempt of court application, questioning the inclusion of petitioner’s name in exit control list.
Headed by Chief Justice Mushir Alam, the division bench observed: “It is not uncommon that public functionaries keep flouting the orders of the court at the highest level and despite repeated directions in number of cases to secretaries concerned their communication channel is not streamlined”.
In the contempt application, moved by Shaikh Abdul Sattar Mandokhel, it was stated that petitioner’s name was placed on exit control list on recommendation of NAB authorities on April 11, 2005, and the facts of placing of the name was challenged by the petitioner.
He stated that SHC order, dated October 15, 2008, whereby the secretary of interior ministry and Port Qasim Authority was directed to remove the name of petitioner from the exit control list, has been flouted by the respondents.
He further stated that contemnor though fully aware about court orders has failed to remove the name of petitioner from exit control list. Thus, he contended, respondents have wilfully and deliberately made defiance of the order as the name of the petitioner was still in list.
After hearing the contempt application, bench issued notice to Secretary of Interior Ministry.
Bench ordered, if the notice is not responded it will ensued by bailable warrants and then non-bail able warrants.
Bench also directed secretary of interior ministry to not only respond the application but to explain as why cost of Rs100000 may not be imposed for inaction and noncompliance of court order.