Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has placed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, his wife, and over 500 members of his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), on the no-fly list. The move comes amid a standoff between Khan’s government and the country’s powerful military, and as legal challenges mount against the former cricket star. Khan has thanked the government for the decision, stating that he has no plans to travel abroad. His supporters recently stormed key military installations in protests against his arrest, leading to dozens of former PTI legislators distancing themselves from him and over 4,000 of his supporters being arrested.
In accordance with the latest findings of Al Jazeera, Pakistan’s government has imposed a travel ban on former Prime Minister Imran Khan, his wife, and hundreds of political aides amid a standoff with the country’s powerful military. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), responsible for immigration and border control, put Khan’s name on the no-fly list, along with more than 500 leaders and members of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
“It is a standard practice in every case. All those who face court cases are barred from leaving the country,” an official told dpa news agency. The move against Khan comes as legal challenges mount for the 70-year-old former cricket star, weeks after his supporters stormed key military installations, including the army headquarters, in protests against his arrest on May 9.
Dozens of former PTI legislators have distanced themselves from 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 controversial military courts, a move criticised by national and global rights groups.
An anti-terrorism court in the eastern city of Lahore on Thursday handed 16 civilians to the military for trial over their suspected involvement in the violent protests this month. Also on Thursday, Khan approached the Supreme Court against the travel ban, arguing that it was unconstitutional and a violation of his fundamental rights.
Khan’s government, between 2018 and 2022, also barred several opposition leaders from flying abroad. However, this move against Khan and his party comes as tensions between the military and the government have escalated in recent weeks. The military has been accused of meddling in politics, while the government has been criticised for its handling of the economy and human rights issues.
Khan, who served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, has been a vocal critic of the military’s role in politics and has called for greater civilian control over the armed forces. He has also been a strong advocate for human rights and has spoken out against the military’s crackdown on dissent.
In response to the travel ban, Khan tweeted, “I have no plans to travel abroad, because I neither have any properties or businesses abroad nor even a bank account outside the country.” He also thanked the government for putting him on the no-fly list, in an apparent dig at politicians belonging to Pakistan’s ruling alliance who allegedly own homes abroad.
