ISLAMABAD, April 9: Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rehman on Monday asked the InterServices Intelligence (ISI) to explain why it has recommended putting name of a woman on Exit Control List (ECL).

The court ordered the director-general of InterServices Intelligence (ISI) to submit reply on next date of hearing on April 30.

Challenging restriction on her movement abroad, petitioner Zaibul Nigar, a resident of district Ghizer of GilgitBaltistan, through her counsel adopted before the court that on January 30, 2012, she along with her brother Majeedullah, was due to leave for Bangkok through Thai Airline but both of them were off-loaded from the plane at Islamabad airport.

Her counsel Shah Faisal Utmankhel told the court that the petitioner was informed that ministry of interior had imposed restriction on her movement and she was banned from going abroad.

Moreover, the name of petitioner has been put on the ECL without giving or delivering any letter or order to her, he added.

Deputy attorney general Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri informed the court that ministry of interior had put the name of the petitioner on the ECL on the recommendation of the ISI.

He said it was a routine practice that the spy agency recommended placing suspicious characters` name on the ECL.

The court, however, directed the ISI to submit in writing the reasons as to why it recommended putting the name of citizen on the ECL.

Terming the embargo on his client unjustified and without any reason, Advocate Utmankhel said the petitioner was not involved in any criminal case for which her presence in Pakistan was required.

Citing interior secretary, home and tribal affairs KPK, directors general ISI, Federal Investigation Agency, immigration and passports and Civil Aviation Authority, he said the petitioner was being restricted from exercising her fundamental rights guaranteed under the constitution.