The Federal Investigation Agency is banning Khan, his wife and hundreds of PTI leaders from traveling abroad amid a clash with the military.
Pakistan’s government has banned former prime minister Imran Khan, his wife and hundreds of political aides from traveling abroad amid a standoff with the country’s powerful military, officials said.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), responsible for immigration and border control, has put Khan’s name on the no-fly list, at least two officials confirmed to the news agency on Friday. dpa.
Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, and more than 500 leaders and members of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have also been added to the list, officials said.
“It’s standard practice anyway. Anyone who faces legal action is banned from leaving the country,” one of the officials told dpa.
Khan “thanked” the government on Friday for putting him on the no-fly list.
“I have no plans to travel overseas as I don’t have any overseas property or business or even an overseas bank account,” he tweeted in an apparent digs against politicians belonging to Pakistan’s ruling alliance who allegedly own homes overseas.
I want to thank the government for listing my name on the ECL as I have no plans to travel abroad as I don’t have any overseas property or business or even a bank account abroad.
If and when I have the opportunity to vacation, it will be in our…
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 26, 2023
Khan’s government, between 2018 and 2022, also banned several opposition leaders from flying abroad.
The move against Khan comes as legal challenges are on the rise for the 70-year-old former cricket star, weeks after his supporters stormed key military installations, including army headquarters, to protest his May 9 arrest.
Dozens of former PTI legislators have have moved away of Khan since and more than 4,000 of his supporters – including PTI leaders and journalists – have been arrested in a nationwide crackdown.
The government said those who attacked the military installation would face summary trials at the country’s headquarters. controversial military tribunalsa move criticized by domestic and global rights groups.
An anti-terrorism court in the eastern city of Lahore on Thursday handed over 16 civilians to the military to stand trial for their alleged involvement in this month’s violent protests.
Also on Thursday, Khan addressed the Supreme Court against the deployment of armed forces in parts of the country, calling it “undeclared martial law” and asking the Supreme Court to declare the decision unconstitutional.
The army was deployed in the provinces of Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as in the capital, Islamabad, during the May 9 violence.
Several government ministers have said that a proposal is under consideration to ban khan partya move likely to deepen political chaos in a country facing imminent economic default and threats from armed groups.
Since being removed from office in April last year, Khan has campaigned for a snap general election, which is due to be held by October this year.