16 December 2004	Thursday	03 Ziqa'ad 1425

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KARACHI, Dec 15: Passport authorities declined to accept application of the Pakistan People's Party leader Asif Zardari for fresh passport without assigning any reason, said the PPP information secretary Taj Haider on Wednesday.

"No reason has been given for this violation of fundamental right and we intend to challenge it in a court f law," he said. According to Taj Haider, the protocol officer of Bilawal House, Mr Adam Afridi had presented the duly completed form to an assistant director of the passport office, but the latter had declined to receive it.

Although nothing was officially said in writing, indications were given that the application was being refused because Mr Zardari's name was on the ECL. However, Mr Haider said that issuing passport and putting someone on the Exit Control List were two different things.

He said that Mr Zardari had been released on bail by the court and he had deposited the required surety money so there should not be any confusion about his return.

Mr Zardari had applied for a fresh passport after his release because his earlier passports had been confiscated and had expired. It was not yet clear whether Mr Zardari has been issued with new computerized NIC card.