LAHORE: A decision on the removal of Maryam Nawaz’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL) has to be issued by the federal government within seven days, the Lahore High Court ruled on Monday.
The daughter of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is also the vice president of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), submitted a petition to the court on Saturday, requesting that her name be removed from the ECL and passport temporarily returned, enabling her to meet the ailing father who has been undergoing treatment in the UK.
A bench headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi said Maryam Nawaz should exercise her right to appeal for the ECL removal to the federal government.
The government placed Maryam’s name on the no-fly list following a request by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in August.
According to PML-N leadership, Maryam Nawaz has not been involved in any corruption case and should be allowed to meet her ailing father.
“Maryam Nawaz is not involved in any corruption case. She has not held any public office and all the cases against her related to her inherited property. She must be allowed to go abroad. She should be given her legitimate right to take care of her ailing father,” PML-N, Punjab spokeswoman Azma Zahid Bokhari told Arab News.
Legal experts are of the view that the plea will be heard by the review committee and if it is rejected, Nawaz reserves the right to appeal the decision in court.
“The court has changed the petition to a presentation against the federal government decision of putting Maryam Nawaz’s name on ECL and issued direction to review committee to decide the matter in seven days. The matter will be discussed in the committee and decision will be taken after hearing the party. Maryam can move to court again if the committee decides against her,” former Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf Ali told Arab News.
Maryam Nawaz is currently free on bail in a corruption case related to Chaudhry Sugar Mills (CSM). Her father is serving a seven-year sentence on graft charges and was granted bail on health grounds.
Court gives government seven days on Maryam Nawaz’s ECL plea
https://arab.news/4hzm3
Court gives government seven days on Maryam Nawaz’s ECL plea
- PLM-N vice president seeks removal from no-fly list to visit her father in UK
- Maryam is barred from leaving Pakistan following a request by the national anti graft body
PSL shifts to auction model, raises player salary cap ahead of 11th season
- Pakistan’s premier T20 league overhauls player recruitment rules, abolishing draft system
- League expands commercial scale, adds Faisalabad venue as HBL PSL 11 begins March 26
ISLAMABAD: The HBL Pakistan Super League (HBL PSL) on Monday announced sweeping structural reforms ahead of its 11th season, including a shift to a player auction system and a higher salary purse, marking the most significant overhaul in the league’s history as it seeks to deepen competitiveness and commercial appeal.
The changes, unveiled by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), come as the country’s flagship Twenty20 league enters its second decade, having grown into a major platform for domestic talent and international players since its launch in 2016.
Under the new framework, HBL PSL 11 will replace the long-standing player draft with a Player Auction Model, a move the PCB said was designed to enhance transparency, competitive balance and player earnings in line with global franchise leagues.
“In a historic move after a decade of success, the HBL Pakistan Super League (HBL PSL 11) will transition to a Player Auction Model, replacing the traditional Player Draft system,” the PCB said in a statement.
“This strategic shift is aimed at enhancing competitive balance, increasing transparency, and providing players’ greater earning opportunities.”
As part of the reforms, franchises will be allowed to retain a maximum of four players, limited to one per category, a sharp reduction from the previous system that permitted up to eight retentions along with mentor, brand ambassador and right-to-match provisions. The PCB said those mechanisms have now been abolished.
The revised rules also allow newly inducted teams to pre-select four players from the available pool before the auction, while each franchise may directly sign one foreign player who did not feature in the previous season, a move aimed at injecting fresh international talent into the league.
Further underlining the league’s commercial ambitions, the PCB said the player salary purse has been increased to $1.6 million per franchise, reinforcing efforts to attract elite domestic and overseas cricketers.
“These progressive measures reflect the League’s strategic trajectory and evolution, while remaining firmly rooted in its mission to promote cricketing excellence, fan engagement, and attaining unprecedented heights,” the PCB said.
The board also confirmed that HBL PSL 11 will begin on March 26, 2026, with Faisalabad added as an additional host venue, expanding the league’s geographic footprint beyond its traditional host cities.
Officials said further details on the auction process and operational guidelines would be announced in the coming weeks.
PSL has become a key pillar of the country’s cricket economy, providing financial stability to the PCB and serving as a talent pipeline for the national team.
