The ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) on Tuesday appeared to step back from its announcement of seeking a ban on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), as Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar clarified that a final decision on the matter was still pending.
In a press statement, Dar said a final determination of whether or not to seek a ban on the PTI was pending until all allies could be consulted. “Any decision to ban PTI will be made in accordance with the law and Constitution,” he said, while emphasizing that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had already provided all necessary records to prove the PTI had received foreign funding, a violation of Article 17 of the Constitution.
“The PTI is a foreign-funded party, and this is an undeniable reality,” he said, while reiterating a demand for perpetrators of the May 9 riots to be held accountable.
Similarly, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said Information Minister Attaullah Tarar’s announcement was a mere precursor to the legal process required to ban the PTI. “A final decision would be taken only after consulting with the government’s political allies,” he said, while slamming the U.S. for expressing “deep concern” over the proposed plan to ban the PTI. “The U.S. should also show concern for the oppression and persecution in Gaza,” he said.
However, despite the expressed desire to consult with allies before proceeding with the ban, PMLN leaders are continuing to build the case for it. Senator Irfan Siddiqui, considered a confidante of PMLN President Nawaz Sharif, has said it must be determined if the PTI violated Article 17 of the Constitution, adding if so, it must either be banned or similar privileges extended to any other groups that qualify.
“It must be determined whether a group that protests to prevent international financial institutions from assisting Pakistan, collaborates with Indian lobbies to disgrace Pakistan, attacks more than 250 defense installations within hours, insults martyrs, conspires to incite rebellion within the Army, uses its media influence against national security institutions, accepts funds from enemies of Pakistan, and makes efforts to isolate Pakistan globally, should be formally recognized as a political party under Article 17,” he wrote in a statement.
A day earlier, the information minister had announced the government is planning to seek a ban on the PTI under Article 17, citing its foreign funding case, as well as its “anti-state” activities and alleged efforts to scuttle the economy. While admitting the government could face defeat in the Supreme Court, which must validate any requests to ban a political party, he maintained there was sufficient evidence for the government to proceed with its decision.
However, it is unclear whether the ruling party would be able to secure support from its coalition partners, as both the PPP and PMLQ have urged caution while maintaining that they have yet to be formally consulted on the matter and would only make a final decision after being taken into confidence.