Names of ex-PM Imran Khan's aides added to 'stop list'

ISLAMABAD: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Sunday placed the names of six key aides of former PM Imran Khan on a ‘stop list’, Geo News reported, citing sources.

Being on the list bars them from travelling abroad without permission.

PM's former principal secretary Azam Khan, ex-special assistant to PM on political communication Shahbaz Gill, ex-adviser to PM on interior and accountability Shahzad Akbar, Director-General Punjab Gohar Nafees, and DG Federal Investigation Agency Punjab Zone Mohammad Rizwan's names have been added to the list, sources added.

As per sources, PTI's head of social media Dr Arsalan Khalid's name has also been added to the list.

The development comes after PTI Chairman Imran Khan was removed from office through a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly (NA), making him the first premier to be ousted through the move.

The NA session was chaired by Ayaz Sadiq — a member of the panel of chairs — after speaker Asad Qasier resigned from his post.

"174 members have recorded their votes in favour of the resolution, consequently the resolution for the vote on no-confidence against Mr Imran Khan, the prime minister of Pakistan, has been passed by a majority," Ayaz Sadiq announced after the process of voting was completed. 

What is a 'stop list'

The FIA introduced a system of ‘stop list’ in 2003 to stop unwanted people from trying to leave the country in the shortest possible time as placing someone’s name on ECL takes a long time.