Pakistan: Ex-PM Yousuf Raza Gilani blacklisted, barred from leaving country
What's the story
Former Pakistan PM Yousuf Raza Gilani was stopped from leaving the country by security officials at the Lahore airport late night yesterday. According to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Gilani had reached the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore to catch his flight for South Korea via Bangkok to attend a conference. However, his name was on the no-fly list. Read more.
Response
FIA maintains that it's simply following interior ministry's orders
"At the immigration counter, Mr. Gilani was told that his name was placed on the blacklist therefore he could not leave the country," the FIA said, adding that it was following orders from the interior ministry. Reacting strongly, the senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader said he had always appeared in court in the different ongoing cases against him.
Action
Will challenge 'illegal decision of the government', said Gilani
"There was no point in placing my name on (the) no-fly list. I was not fleeing the country. Prime Minister Imran Khan's sole agenda seems to be targeting his political opponents," said Gilani. The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government should have informed me about blacklisting my name, Gilani said, adding that he will challenge the "illegal decision of the government".
Court case
Gilani is facing corruption case over illegal advertising contract
Gilani is facing several corruption-cases and last week, Islamabad's accountability court had rejected his plea seeking exemption from personal appearance in a case related to awarding alleged illegal advertising contract to M/S Midas Pvt Ltd, private ad-agency. He is accused of misusing authority to illegally grant Messrs Midas an advertising contract in contravention of the PPRA rules, which cost the national treasury Rs. 129.07mn.