KARACHI, Aug 26: Missing businessman Saifullah Paracha’s name appeared on the exit control list as a loan-defaulter and he was mistakenly cleared by the FIA immigration staff at the Karachi airport for his Thai flight on July 5, Deputy Attorney- General Syed Zaki Mohammad told the Sindh High Court on Tuesday.

The law officer placed before the court an interior ministry letter saying that Mr Paracha’s name was brought on the ECL for failing to repay his loans and it was still there. It could not be detected by the officials concerned in time owing to some confusion. No exemption was sought or given by the ministry for his Thai visit and he left Pakistan in violation of the law.

He also submitted the Civil Aviation Authority record about the Thai Airways flight TG-205. Signed by an air controller, the CAA report said there was nothing unusual about the flight except that the plane arrived 42 minutes late and took off six minutes after the scheduled departure time on July 5.

Advocate Nisar A. Mujahid, petitioner Farhat Paracha’s counsel, submitted that the fact that Saifullah Paracha was listed on the ECL supported the petitioner’s claim that he was granted the Thai visa on his American partner’s request and was whisked away under a conspiracy.

The division bench seized of the petition, which consisted of Justices Shabbir Ahmed and Gulzar Ahmed, adjourned the hearing to Sept 9 for further proceedings.