Khan says no plans to travel abroad after government impose travel ban

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
26 May 2023 18:35

Sources are alleging that some of the Pakistan Tahreek-I-Insaf's leaders and members attempted to flee the country over the past three days and have been stopped at the airport.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, center, leaves after appearing in a court, in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, May 19, 2023 (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Opposition leader and former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said he has no plans of leaving his country after his name was placed on the Exit Control List (ECL) which imposes a travel ban on listed individuals.

"I want to thank the government for putting my name on the ECL [Exit Control List] as I have no plans to travel abroad...," Khan wrote on his Twitter.

I want to thank the government for putting my name on the ECL as I have no plans to travel abroad, because I neither have any properties or businesses abroad nor even a bank account outside the country.

If and when I do get an opportunity for a holiday, it will be in our…
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 26, 2023

Khan was added to the ECL over his suspected involvement in the May 9 riots which claimed the lives of 10 people. Several other members of his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), are facing similar cases over the violence that erupted following the detention of Imran Khan. He was released on May 11 after a court ruled his arrest was unlawful.

According to a report issued by Geo News, some of PTI's leaders and members attempted to flee the country over the past three days and have been stopped at the airport.

It further states that Khan is preparing to apply for political asylum in the US, as per allegations made by the Special Assistant to Prime Minister Faisal Karim Kundi.

"I have been told by my sources that Imran Khan will soon apply for political asylum in America. Soon, we will see news flashing on our TV screens that Imran Khan has applied for political asylum," Faisal Karim Kundi said, as cited by the Geo News.

Khan, who says corruption charges have been concocted against him, is embroiled in a confrontation with the powerful military, which has ruled Pakistan directly or overseen civilian governments throughout its history.

On Wednesday, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said that Pakistan is considering banning Khan's political party.

"It is under consideration to ban PTI," Asif told reporters.

"The PTI has attacked the very basis of the state, that never happened before. It can't be tolerated".