The federal government on Saturday barred Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and several senior party leaders from travelling abroad, placing their names on the Exit Control List (ECL) in connection with the May 9 riots, according to official sources.

Sources said the government has approved adding the names of prominent PTI figures to the ECL following recommendations sent by the Punjab Home Department. The decision was taken in view of investigations related to the May 9 violence.

Those added to the list include PTI founder Imran Khan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Omar Ayub, Fawad Chaudhry and Shibli Faraz. The names of Ali Amin Gandapur, Shehryar Afridi and Usman Dar have also been included.

Former PTI leaders Shireen Mazari, Zartaj Gul, Musarrat Cheema and Kanwal Shauzab are among the individuals whose travel has been restricted.

In addition, sources said the names of Sheikh Rasheed, Sheikh Rashid Shafiq, retired Major Tahir Sadiq, Raja Basharat and Waseeq Qayyum Abbasi have also been placed on the ECL.

The Punjab Home Department had forwarded the list to the federal government, while the ECL committee earlier sent its recommendations for final approval.