Pakistan's government has restricted 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, put Imran Khan's name on the no-fly list, at least two officials confirmed to DPA news agency on Friday. Imran 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 is a standard practice in every case. All those who face court cases are barred from leaving the country," one of the officials told DPA. Khan on Friday "thanked" the government for putting him on the no-fly list. "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 tweeted in an apparent dig at politicians belonging to Pakistan's ruling alliance who allegedly own homes abroad. Imran Khan's government, between 2018 and 2022, also barred several opposition leaders from flying abroad. 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 Imran Khan since and more than 4,000 of his supporters — including PTI leaders and journalists — have been arrested in a nationwide crackdown. 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. Later on Friday, Khan appealed for immediate talks with state officials. "I would like to appeal for talks, because what is currently happening is not a solution," Khan said in a live talk streamed on YouTube, warning that the country was headed towards anarchy. "Give me a hint and I will announce committee in a day," the ex-premier said, reiterating his earlier stance that he would quit political arena if the powers that be — the euphemism he uses to refer to the military establishment — convinced the proposed committee how his 'elimination' from political scene would help the country. In his remarks broadcast via video link from his Zaman Park residence, the PTI chairman also questioned how simultaneous elections across the country in October could best serve the interest of the country. In the same breath, he remarked, the time was apparently being bought only to crush his party. When Pakistan was sinking in the quagmire of all kinds of crises, why people should wait till October, he wondered. Imran Khan also told his supporters that the government had cut internet connections in his neighborhood. The PTI chairman also appealed to the Supreme Court judges to end their differences and stand united to save democracy and fundamental rights of people. He said the rule of law had also been suspended in the country and the constitution was also not functioning with its absolute power. The PTI chairman also regretted that the party leaders, office-bearers and workers were being pressured to quit both the party and its leadership if they want to save their skin. "Expressions of defections and parting of ways with the PTI has been made a 'magic wand' for PTI leaders and workers to get pardon," imran Khan lamented. — Agencies
