ISLAMABAD, March 5: The National Assembly was informed here on Wednesday that four federal ministers were on the Exit Control List (ECL), including the interior minister, in keeping with the recommendations of the agencies concerned.

The names of these ministers are: Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, Minister for Water and Power/Kashmir Affairs, Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control, Liaqat Ali Jatoi, Minister for Industries, and Shaikh Rashid Ahmed, Minister for Information and Media Development.

PPP’s Syed Naveed Qamar had inquired which of the cabinet members were placed on the ECL on October 10, 2002.

In a written reply, the interior minister said the ECL contained 2,939 persons. Besides, there was no time limit for keeping a person placed on the list.

However, the minister said, it depended on the agency concerned’s recommendation either to retain or delete the name of a person from the Exit Control List upon finalization of investigation, and other factors.

About steps to check infiltration of terrorists into Pakistan, the minister said strict vigil was being maintained by the civil armed forces and other law enforcing agencies at all the main and known entry routes along the international borders with Afghanistan, Iran, India and China.

He said it was difficult for the terrorists to enter the country through unfrequented routes as the security agencies were quite vigilant to unearth such elements.