ISLAMABAD, April 4: Ministry of Interior has put the names of an Australian national and his three children, who were allegedly taken away from their mother, on the Exit Control List.

Sources said the action had been taken on the directives of the Lahore High Court (LHC), Rawalpindi Bench, judge Justice Abdul Shakoor Paracha, who heard the case on March 22.

The court had also issued the arrest warrant of the respondent, Ibrar Hussain Shah, after he failed to appear before the learned judge along with the three minors.

Syeda Almas Kazmi hailing from Talagang was married to Mr Shah around 10 years back. Three children — Abdullah Shah (8), Mashab Shah (6) and Haniyah Shah (4) — were born of their wedlock.

Later, it transpired that Mr Shah already had two wives, the brother of Ms Almas said. It was then the couple developed differences.

Sensing the problems likely to come, Ibrar Hussain took his three children and came to Pakistan without informing his wife. After some months, the woman also left Australia and came to Pakistan to claim custody of her children. But the father refused to allow her to see the children let alone hand them over to her.

Ms Almas moved the superior court that issued notices to the respondent directing him to appear before the court along with the children.

But he defied the court orders after which the learned judge issued the arrest warrant of Mr Shah and tasked a bailiff with recovering the minors. However, the man had gone into hiding to avoid arrest.

The court will hold the next hearing in the case on Thursday.