ISLAMABAD: The federal government has recently updated the Exit Control List (ECL) by appending the names of 35 individuals, effectively prohibiting them from exiting the country.
This measure is part of the government’s ongoing endeavors to combat corruption and financial misconduct.
The decision to include these individuals on the ECL was made during a pivotal session concerning the list. However, names of the people included in the ECL list were not disclosed.
The federal government took this action against the 35 individuals due to their involvement in corruption, criminal activities, and their detrimental impact on the national treasury.
Furthermore, individuals who have absconded from government institutions and are currently avoiding legal proceedings have also been included in this list.
The Ministry of Home Affairs facilitated the approval process by circulating a summary to the federal cabinet, resulting in the authorization for the addition of these names to the ECL.
Meanwhile, more than 8 million Pakistanis had left abroad in the year 2023, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) said in its annual immigration report.
According to the report, FIA Immigration successfully processed 19.5 million passengers at international arrival and departure counters.
Out of 9.2 million passengers, 7.1 million Pakistanis and 2.1 million foreigners visited Pakistan.
Out of 10.3 million passengers, 8.1 million Pakistani nationals and 2.2 million foreigners departed from Pakistan.
A maximum of 3.6 million Pakistanis traveled through Lahore Airport for overseas arrivals and departures. 3.5 million Pakistani passengers traveled through Islamabad Airport.
The FIA Integrated Border Management System processed 2935 stop list cases, arrested 1602 human traffickers while carrying out operations against human traffickers, the report said.
As many as 25 most wanted human traffickers were also arrested during the year 2023, it said, adding that the US State Department maintained Pakistan’s Tier 2 status in its annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report 2023.
