Ex-PTI leader Maleeka Ali Bokhari expressed gratitude to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for facilitating the removal of her name from the exit control list (ECL). This action enabled Bokhari to visit her critically ill sister in Australia.
Bokhari had previously sought permission from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to travel to Australia to be with her sister, who had suffered a severe brain haemorrhage and was nearing death.
Responding via her X social media account, Maryam Nawaz promised to discuss the matter with relevant authorities. She tweeted her intentions to assist, emphasizing the importance of an official request.
Subsequently, Bokhari thanked Maryam for her swift action, confirming her name was cleared from the no-fly list.
In May 2023, following violent protests triggered by the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan, numerous PTI leaders, including Khan, were added to the ECL. The riots on May 9 led to significant damage to both public and private properties, especially those owned by the military.
Responding to Hina Parved Butt’s Tweet, Bokhari argued that her right to freedom of movement was constitutionally protected, highlighting her urgent need to see her gravely ill sister. She described her sister’s critical condition in detail, mentioning life support and a 24-hour decision window given by doctors regarding ventilator support.
She emphasized her sister’s non-political status, portraying her as a motherly figure, and called for a one-time permission to visit her. Bokhari’s plea highlighted the alignment of her request with constitutional rights, religious principles, ethical standards, and national laws.
