Pakistan Govt Decides To Ban Imran Khan's PTI, Party Slams Army Chief Gen Munir & His 'Puppet' Dispensation

The Pakistan government has moved to ban Imran Khan's PTI party, citing foreign funding, 9 May riots, and attempts to harm diplomatic relations.

File photo of former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan

Source : PTI

The Pakistan government has decided to ban Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party, according to Information Minister Atta Tarar. This significant move follows the Pak Supreme Court's recent judgments favouring PTI in the case of the reserved seats and granting relief to party chief Imran Khan in the Iddat case.

In a press conference held in Islamabad, Tarar asserted that Pakistan's progress is incompatible 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 stated, as quoted by Pak-based Dawn.

The minister highlighted the serious allegations against PTI, including attempts to harm Pakistan’s diplomatic relations for political gains. He referenced the cipher saga, where former Pakistani ambassador to the US, Asad Majeed, clarified that there was "no threat" to Pakistan, yet PTI persisted in claiming national danger. "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," he added, as per Dawn's report.

Pakistan Govt To Submit Review Petition Before SC To Review Reserved Seats Verdict

Tarar also mentioned that the Pakistan government plans to submit a review petition before the Supreme Court of Pakistan against its recent verdict, which declared PTI eligible for reserved seats for women and minorities. He explained that an impression was created suggesting undue relief to PTI. "However, Tehreek-i-Insaf was not a party in the case, the members [in question] did not claim to be PTI candidates, and all of them submitted Sunni Ittehad Council’s (SIC) affidavits and joined the party," he said, according to the report.

According to the SIC manifesto, non-Muslims cannot become members, thus disqualifying them from minority seats.

PTI Slams Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, Calls Shebaz Dispensation 'His Puppet Government'

Responding to the Pakistani government’s decision, PTI described it as an unrealistic and authoritarian move. In an official statement, the party criticised General Asim Munir and the current Shehbaz Sharif-led dispensation.

"The desire to ban the country's largest and most popular political party is a direct attack on the fundamental political rights of millions of Pakistanis, and a shameful attempt to undermine the nation's foundations. General Asim Munir and his associates, who have openly disregarded the constitution and law by committing electoral robbery on February 8, are hiding behind the scenes, trying to push Pakistan towards chaos, destruction, and civil war. However, the public has consistently thwarted their conspiracies with patience, wisdom, and tolerance," the PTI said in a post on X.

ملک کی مقبول ترین اور سب سے بڑی سیاسی جماعت پر پابندی کی خواہش کا اظہار کروڑں پاکستانیوں کے بنیادی سیاسی حقوق پر براہِ راست حملہ کرکے ملک کی بنیادیں کھودنے کی نہایت شرمناک کوشش ہے۔

جمہوریت کا جنازہ نکال کر 8 فروری کو عوام کے ووٹ کے حق پر کھلا ڈاکہ ڈالنے اور آئین و قانون کو تسلیم… pic.twitter.com/NfXF4ZJjnU

— PTI (@PTIofficial) July 15, 2024

It further remarked, "If General Asim Munir and his puppet government are genuinely concerned about national security and the interests of Pakistan, they should cease their conspiracies against Imran Khan and PTI, who are the guarantors of the unity of the federation of Pakistan under this undeclared martial law."

"The patriotism of Imran Khan and PTI has been testified by millions of Pakistanis through their votes, particularly on February 8 over the past two years. It is time for the operatives of dictatorship to clarify their true intentions and their shameful actions regarding the integrity and security of Pakistan to the nation. If you continue to insist on the actions that the Hamoodur Rahman Commission Report warned against after the fall of East Pakistan, the nation will question your true objectives," it added.