Govt cancels diplomatic passports of Imran Khan's cabinet members

Islamabad: In a major development, the government cancelled the diplomatic passports of nine prominent leaders belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

This decision caused the significant implications for the leaders including Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Asad Umar, Azam Swati, Pervaiz Khattak, Ali Amin Gandapur, Farrukh Habib, Aun Abbas, Zartaj Gul, and Ali Muhammad Khan, all of whom were holders of diplomatic passports.

In addition to these PTI leaders, the diplomatic passport of Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, an ally of the PTI, was also suspended. The cancellation and suspension of these passports restricts the privileges and benefits associated with diplomatic passports, such as streamlined visa processes, expedited airport checks, and enhanced travel facilities.

These perks are typically granted to individuals possessing diplomatic passports, setting them apart from ordinary travelers.

The government recently placed over 200 PTI leaders on the no-fly list, further intensifying its actions against the party. The crackdown includes the detention of several PTI leaders and supporters, primarily in relation to the violence and arson that occurred on May 9, following the arrest of the party's leader, Imran Khan.

The repercussions of these actions have been significant, with numerous PTI leaders choosing to resign from the party, and in some cases, even retiring from politics altogether. This series of events marks a challenging period for the PTI and its members as they navigate the consequences of the government's actions.