No-Fly List
The Peshawar High Court has accepted the government’s review petition against removing the name of Dr. Shakeel Afridi’s wife from the Exit Control List (ECL), a no-fly list maintained by the government of Pakistan to prevent certain individuals from leaving the country.
This decision came from a two-judge bench comprising Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Shakeel Ahmed, who ordered the Deputy Attorney General (DAG) to provide any confidential evidence against Afridi’s wife to the cabinet, since the DAG claimed the evidence could not be presented in court due to its sensitive nature.
The Deputy Attorney General argued before the court that the state possesses confidential information against certain individuals, which justifies taking action against them.
He maintained that if such information exists, it should be sufficient to keep Afridi’s wife on the ECL. The court accepted the Deputy Attorney General’s request and disposed of the petition accordingly, thereby upholding the decision to keep Afridi’s wife on the no-fly list.
Dr. Shakeel Afridi is a controversial figure who played a significant role in a fake vaccination campaign that eventually led US forces to a housing compound in Abbottabad, where Osama Bin Laden was allegedly residing.
Despite his involvement in this operation, which was crucial for the US in locating Bin Laden, Afridi was arrested and sentenced to 33 years in prison.
His charges, however, were not directly related to his involvement in the vaccination campaign but rather for alleged ties with a local militant named Mangal Bagh. In addition, he faced murder charges in another case, further complicating his legal situation.
The case of Dr. Afridi and his family has been a point of contention between Pakistan and the United States, with the latter expressing dissatisfaction over Afridi’s imprisonment, considering his role in helping to locate Bin Laden.
The US has repeatedly urged Pakistan to release Afridi, but Pakistani authorities have maintained their stance, citing his alleged connections with militant groups and his involvement in criminal activities within the country.
The inclusion of Afridi’s wife on the ECL indicates the Pakistani government’s broader strategy to restrict the movements of individuals associated with high-profile cases, especially those involving national security and terrorism.
By keeping her on the no-fly list, the government aims to ensure that all potential risks are mitigated, given the sensitive nature of Dr. Afridi’s actions and the international ramifications of his case.
This decision by the Peshawar High Court reinforces the government’s position on national security matters and underscores the importance of confidential information in judicial proceedings.
The outcome of this case will likely continue to influence the diplomatic dynamics between Pakistan and the US, as well as the domestic handling of individuals involved in high-stakes international incidents.
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