Latif Khosa is permitted to travel overseas by IHC.

Latif Khosa, a top lawyer and leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, was given permission by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to go outside on Thursday.

Khosa petitioned to have his name taken off the Exit Control List (ECL), and IHC Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani granted his request. The petitioner has been instructed by the judge to provide an affidavit in the trial court committing him to show up at the court’s summons.

The petitioner stated during the hearing that a case against him was filed at the Secretariat Police Station for protesting outside the Supreme Court, which is why his name was placed on the ECL.

The prosecutor responded that the charge sheet had not yet been presented when the judge asked if it had.

The court also inquired as to whether the case involves any violations of Section 144 or the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 7. Justice Kiyani also inquired as to whether Latif Khosa will be placed under arrest.

The judge also asked whether there was a real fear that the petitioner might leave abroad and not come back.

The court also asked why the petitioner was being prevented from traveling abroad by the trial court.

Khosa told the court at one point that he was not permitted to board an aircraft on January 5 and that he was now expected to go to Canada.

In the trial court, Latif Khosa was instructed to submit an affidavit guaranteeing his attendance at the appointed time.

The IHC judge subsequently postponed the  hearing of the case.