ISLAMABAD: Keeping in view of unabated popularity graph of incarcerated Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, the government of Pakistan has decided to ban its existence. Furthermore, the government has also decided to register a case under Article-6 against Imran Khan, former president Dr Arif Alvi and former speaker of National Assembly. Govt has also decided to challenge the decision of Supreme Court regarding to reserve seats which paves the way for becoming the largest political party in the National Assembly (114 seats).
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, while addressing a press conference in Islamabad, announced that a decision had been made to impose restrictions on the PTI; and that the government will refer the case to the Supreme Court.
He added that clear evidence was available to impose restrictions on the PTI, and the government would initiate proceedings to do the same.
Tarar highlighted recent efforts to create unrest in the country, referencing a film trailer titled “Saat Khoon Maaf”, suggesting that certain individuals were “above the law.”
He criticised the PTI founder Imran Khan, labelling him as the worst leader who has established a precedent of imprisoning women and daughters.
Tarar also mentioned that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had proposed a Charter of Economy in the Parliament, but this gesture of wisdom was mistakenly perceived as a sign of weakness. He emphasised that there is substantial evidence supporting the ban, and the government will proceed with filing a case in the top court to enforce this prohibition. This decision comes on the heels of relief given to the PTI by the top court in the reserved seats case as well as to the party chief in the Iddat case.
In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s judgement, PTI is set to emerge as the single largest party in the National Assembly, while the ruling coalition seems set to lose its two-thirds majority.
The information minister announced that the government will take stringent actions against several prominent figures, including former President Arif Alvi, PTI founder Imran Khan, and former Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri.
He said that treason case under Article 6 of the Constitution will be lodged against Imran, Alvi and Suri, adding that their passports and CNIC cards will be blocked and a parliamentary resolution would also be brought against them. The information minister also questioned past government leaders’ engagements with Israeli businessmen during Palestinian conflicts.
Regarding recent legislative decisions, Tarar highlighted the Sunni Ittehad Council’s stance against non-Muslim members and PTI’s relief amidst legal challenges. He revealed the government plans to appeal the Supreme Court’s decision on reserved seats, questioning the legitimacy of PTI’s beneficiaries and their courtroom presence.
Additionally, he said that allegations have also surfaced of PTI receiving funding from prohibited sources and instigating the May 9 incident for their own gains.
Tarar said that if the country is to move in a forward direction, it cannot do so with PTI’s existence. “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,” he said.
The information minister added that the government would also submit a review petition before the Supreme Court of Pakistan against its verdict last week which declared that PTI would be eligible for reserved seats for women and minorities.
Attaullah Tarar said involvement of PTI in foreign funding, May 9 incidents and its role in the resettlement of terrorists in Pakistan, the cipher episode, and the resolution passed in the United States were credible evidence to ban the party.
He further stated that a reference will also be filed against former President Arif Alvi, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, and former Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri for violating the Constitution when the assemblies were dissolved following the no-confidence motion against the PTI government. He said the reference will be forwarded to the Supreme Court after approval by the federal cabinet.
The information minister said there were certain lobbies sitting abroad which promote an anti-Pakistan agenda, support separatist movements and conspire against the country’s security and institutions. He mentioned the government has decided to take strict legal action against them, which may involve blocking their passports and identity cards.
The government and its allied parties have also decided to file a review petition against Supreme Court’s judgment in the reserved seats case, he said and emphasized that the judgment has legal lacunae and that they have strong legal grounds to file the review. He pointed out that the PTI had not sought relief in the case.
Attaullah Tarar said the government will complete all these processes while remaining within the domain of law and constitution. He said these matters will be taken forward so that in future nobody could dare to violate the constitution, hurt the national interests and attack the defense institutions.