The federal government on Monday announced it will attempt to impose a ban on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), as well as file references under Article 6 against former prime minister Imran Khan and former president Arif Alvi, heralding another bout of instability as political forces clash in court.
“The PTI and Pakistan cannot co-exist,” claimed Information Minister Ataullah Tarar at a press conference from Islamabad, maintaining the federal government would approach the Supreme Court to seek a ban on the party. He claimed the decision was motivated by the PTI’s alleged involvement in the May 9, 2023 riots; the foreign funding case; and “attempts” by the PTI leadership to sabotage Pakistan’s deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
According to Tarar, the PTI had failed to defend itself in the foreign funding case and had received “illegal” funds from Indian-born U.S. citizens. “Why did you [PTI] seek a stay order for six years?” he questioned, asserting the party had no defense. He maintained individuals fund political parties in the hopes of benefiting if they come into power, he said questions remained over why certain lobbies, including those from Israel, were sending funds to the PTI.
Further, recalled the minister, the PTI-led government had dissolved the assemblies while a no-confidence vote was pending against Khan and the incumbent government had decided to file references under Article 6 (treason) against then-prime minister Imran Khan; then-president Arif Alvi and then National Assembly deputy speaker Qasim Suri. He said the reference would be forwarded to the Supreme Court after the cabinet’s approval.
Lamenting the impression that the PTI was “untouchable” despite its involvement in various cases of corruption and agitation, Tarar described Khan as the “worst fascist” leader, accusing him of launching the practice of penalizing family members over politics. He regretted that efforts for dialogue were perceived as the government’s weakness. “No more,” he said. “Enough is enough. They have played with the country’s fate too much,” he said, adding Article 17 permitted the government to impose a ban on any political party.
“If this country’s economy is to prosper; if the people want to advance; and if the youth wants jobs and if this country wants to stand with developed countries, then Pakistan and PTI cannot go together,” he maintained.
Additionally, said the information minister, the Supreme Court ruling on reserved seats had favored the PTI despite it not being a party to the case and its leaders seeking a share in such seats for the Sunni Ittehad Council. “Everyone submitted Sunni Ittehad Council’s affidavit but its manifesto says that no non-Muslim member can join the party, hence, they could not get a seat,” he claimed, lamenting that the PTI was granted relief it did not even ask for.
“Keeping in view the legal loophole in this judgement, the government and its allies have decided to file a review petition,” he said, maintaining the lawmakers de-seated by the apex court ruling were in favor of such a case. “We will ask whether the MNAs who got relief were present in the court, were their affidavit present and did they ask for that relief and should the Election Act 2017 section be nullified,” he added. It is unclear when the review petition would be filed, as it requires the issuance of a detailed verdict, which is still pending from the apex court.