In a confrontation with the country’s potent military, Pakistan’s government has barred former Prime Minister Imran Khan, his wife, and hundreds of political aides from travelling abroad, according to officials. Khan’s name was placed on the no-fly list by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which is responsible for immigration and border control, at least two officials confirmed to dpa on Friday. More than 500 leaders and members of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have also been added to the list, according to officials. “It is standard procedure in every circumstance. All individuals with pending court cases are prohibited from departing the country, an official told dpa.
Khan “thanked” the government on Friday for placing him on the no-fly list. “I have no plans to travel abroad because I have no foreign properties, businesses, or even a foreign bank account,” he tweeted in an apparent jab at Pakistan’s governing alliance politicians who purportedly own residences abroad. Between 2018 and 2022, Khan’s government prohibited several opposition leaders from travelling abroad. The move against Khan comes as the 70-year-old former cricket sensation faces mounting legal challenges, weeks after his supporters invaded key military installations including the army headquarters to protest his arrest on May 9. Since then, dozens of former PTI legislators have distanced themselves from Khan, and over 4,000 of his supporters – including PTI leaders and journalists – have been arrested nationwide. The government announced that those who attacked the military installation would face summary trials before the country’s controversial military tribunals, a decision criticized by national and international human rights organizations. Thursday, an anti-terrorism court in the eastern city of Lahore turned over to the military for trial 16 civilians suspected of involvement in this month’s violent protests.
Also on Thursday, Khan petitioned the Supreme Court to declare the deployment of armed forces in certain regions of the country to be unconstitutional, referring to it as “undeclared martial law” In response to the violence on May 9, the army was deployed in the provinces of Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as the capital, Islamabad. Several government ministers stated that a proposal to prohibit Khan’s party was being considered, a move that would likely exacerbate the political unrest in a nation confronting an imminent economic default and threats from armed groups. Since he was deposed in April of last year, Khan has been campaigning for emergency general elections scheduled for October of this year.