Musharraf moves Supreme Court over travel ban

A petition was submitted in the Supreme Court Thursday for the removal of former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf's name from the Exit Control List (ECL).

The petition was submitted on behalf of Musharraf by advocate Shah Khawar. It argued the point that every individual possesses the freedom to travel abroad, Dawn online reported.

The petition also mentioned that the former army strongman should be allowed to travel abroad to visit his ailing mother and also for personal treatment.

The government Wednesday rejected a request by Musharraf to allow him to go abroad for his own treatment and to look after his ailing mother.

Musharraf, who was indicted in a high treason case Monday for abrogating the constitution in 2007, had requested the interior ministry to remove his name from the list of those who are barred from leaving the country.

The government had barred Musharraf from going abroad and has placed his name on the ECL after he was charged in several cases including the 2007 assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and high treason.

A three-member special court, rejecting Musharraf's application, had advised him to approach the federal government.

The government has also offered to bring back to Pakistan his mother, 95-year-old Zarin Musharraf, who is presently undergoing treatment in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.