Pakistan to ban Imran Khan's party, move comes after SC relief to PTI on reserved seats

Shehbaz Sharif-led Pakistan government has decided to ban Imran Khan founded Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), the country’s former ruling party, its alleged involvement in anti-state activities.

The announcement of banning PTI was made by Pakistan’s Information & Broadcasting Minister, Attaullah Tarar, on Monday (July 15) during a press conference in Islamabad, who said the federal government has clear evidence available to impose restrictions on the PTI, and it would initiate proceedings against the party.

According to a report by Geo TV, Tarar also said that the government has decided to file references against Imran Khan and Pakistan’s former President Arif Alvi for treason under Article 6.

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Imran Khan, 71, has been lodged at the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on account of multiple cases against him.

The government also will be submitting a review petition before the Supreme Court against its last week’s verdict which affirmed PTI’s status as a political party.

The court had ruled that PTI was eligible for over 20 extra reserved seats in the national legislature, increasing pressure on the country’s weak coalition government.

‘PTI & Pakistan cannot co-exist’

“In view of the foreign funding case, May 9 riots, and the cipher episode as well as the resolution passed in the US, we believe that there is very credible evidence present to have the PTI banned,” Tarar said.

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“PTI and Pakistan cannot co-exist,” he said, adding that the government would move the apex court to file a petition to ban the party.

Intensifying the government’s attack on Imran Khan, Tarar said: “You tried to damage the country’s diplomatic relations for the sake of your political interests and went on to get a resolution passed against Pakistan in the US."

Imran Khan was ‘worst fascist leader’

Tarar went on to say that a perception was made that PTI is “untouchable” despite its leaders being involved in May 9 cases or iddat case.

“He [Khan] was the worst fascist leader. He inherited the pattern of putting mothers and sisters to jail,” Tarar, a PML-N leader, further said.

‘Enough is enough’

Talking about improving ties with PTI, Tarar said that the ruling government’s patience and tolerance were considered its weakness.

“No more. Enough is enough. They have played with the country’s fate too much,” Tarae further said.

‘Legal loophole in SC judgement’

Tarar went on to say that the view is that the PTI was given the relief without even asking.

“Keeping in view the legal loophole in this judgement, the government and its allies have decided to file a review petition,” he said.

The Pakistan minister said that the women and minorities, who suffered injustices, believe that the review petition should be filed.

With inputs from agencies