Minister for Law and Justice Farogh Naseem on Friday explained that names of people who have been nominated in a case are only placed on the exit control list (ECL) if there is suspicion that they will not return to the country if they travel abroad.

While talking to the media in Islamabad, the law minister said that it was not necessary to consider the stance of a suspect before adding their name to the ECL.

Naseem explained that the recommendations of departments which want to place someone, even a lawmaker, on the ECL are submitted to the federal cabinet by the interior ministry.

Referring to a recent report prepared by a joint investigation team probing the fake accounts case, he said that the people named in the report will get the chance to defend themselves in court. Naseem said that the list of 172 people named in the JIT report who have been placed on the ECL, will also be produced in court.

Naseem further said that the incumbent government will do everything to ensure that the rule of law is imposed in the country. He insisted that the accountability process in the country should continue.

When asked about the leaking of the JIT report, Naseem responded that "big news often leak" in the media. He, however, said that the JIT report's surfacing on the media will not affect the case proceedings.