Gilani's son flies abroad after SC notice

Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani's son Ali Musa has left Pakistan after the supreme court issued him a notice in a case related to alleged irregularities in the import of a large amount of the chemical Ephedrine, commonly known as "poor man's cocaine".

Media reports said Ali Musa's move could be related to efforts by the Anti-Narcotics Force to put his name on the exit control list, which has the names of people barred from travelling outside Pakistan.

Ali Musa, who was recently elected to the national assembly or lower house of parliament, has left for South Africa and is also expected to travel to Britain, his personal secretary told The Express Tribune.

The secretary said it was a "scheduled visit" and Ali Musa was likely to return on May 2.

The daily quoted its sources as saying that Principal Secretary to the prime minister, Khusnood Lashari, who purportedly attempted to influence investigations in the case, might leave the country before his name is included on the exit control list.

An apex court bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry on Tuesday ordered Ali Musa and Lashari to record their statements with the ANF before the next hearing of the case on April 20.

The ANF has requested the interior ministry to add Ali Musa's name on the exit control list.

Ali Musa has ignored several summons from the ANF for recording his statement.

The apex court is examining allegations about out-of-turn quotas for importing Ephedrine that were granted to two pharmaceutical companies by the health ministry, allegedly under the influence of Ali Musa Gilani.

Lashari was the health secretary when the quotas were allotted.

Ephedrine, commonly known as "poor man's cocaine", is used to make a medicine for colds, flu and asthma.