Pakistan's NAB wants Finance Minister's name on Exit Control List

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) of Pakistan recommended on Thursday placing of the country's Finance Minister Ishaq Dars name on the Exit Control List (ECL).

"NAB has recommended to the Ministry of Interior to place Dar's name on ECL," said a senior NAB official. "A letter has been sent to MoI."

The development came in the backdrop of an accountability court issuing non-bailable arrest warrants of Dar on Tuesday over his failure to appear in three weeks of court hearings.

"This is the last chance for the accused (Dar) to appear before the court," the short order read.

The minister, who is currently in London for "medical reasons", is facing a case for allegedly accumulating wealth beyond his known sources of income.

Counsel Qusain Faisal Mufti had informed the court that one of the blood vessel's that leads to the heart was ruptured during angiography.

He also said that an audio-visual arrangement could be made to ascertain the said medical condition of the accused.

Dar, who had earlier pleaded not guilty, faces arrest upon his return to the country. The minister had sought exemption, through his counsel, from physical appearance before the court.

The court had directed the minister's guarantor, Ali Ahmed Qudoosi, to make sure that the accused appeared on next hearing or else it will confiscate his surety bonds.

While the President has removed Dar from the Council of Common Interests, according to sources, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal is set to replace him as the Finance Minister as well.

--IANS

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