Islamabad, [15-07-24] – Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, declared today that the Shehbaz Sharif government intends to impose a ban on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. This decision comes alongside a plan to file a treason case against PTI’s founder and former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, in the Supreme Court.
Tarar, addressing reporters in Islamabad, emphasized that the government possesses substantial evidence to support these actions against PTI and its leadership.
“In recent times, there have been deliberate efforts to foment unrest within the country. The release of a film trailer titled ‘Saat Khoon Maaf’ is a blatant attempt to portray certain individuals as being above the law,” stated Tarar.
He further outlined the government’s intentions, stating, “Legal actions will also be taken against prominent figures including former President Dr. Arif Alvi, PTI founder Imran Khan, and former National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri. Treason cases under Article 6 of the constitution will be pursued, which could lead to the revocation of their CNIC and passports.”
Tarar also announced plans for a parliamentary resolution against these figures, underscoring the gravity of the government’s stance.
Critiquing Imran Khan’s tenure, Tarar criticized him as the “worst leader,” accusing him of setting a precedent for the imprisonment of women and daughters, citing the arrests of Faryal Talpur and Maryam Nawaz Sharif during his premiership.
Political analyst Adnan Shaukat weighed in on the situation, describing the move to ban PTI as a decisive action aimed at ending Imran Khan’s political career and dismantling PTI’s influence.
“Imran Khan and his party have yet to be absolved for the events of May 9 and 10 last year, where PTI supporters and leaders orchestrated pre-planned attacks on military installations,” Shaukat remarked. He also noted the complex dynamics between the judiciary and the military establishment, which have influenced legal outcomes and PTI’s political standing.
The government is also preparing to challenge the dissolution of assemblies by the Imran Khan government in April 2022, an action later overturned by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. This move is deemed by the current government as an attempt to subvert the constitution, falling under the purview of high treason.
Article 6 of the Constitution of Pakistan stipulates severe consequences for any attempt to subvert or abrogate constitutional principles.
The government’s strategy involves initiating legal proceedings against Imran Khan, Dr. Arif Alvi, and Qasim Suri in the Supreme Court while simultaneously pursuing actions to ban PTI.
This development marks a critical juncture in Pakistan’s political landscape, signaling heightened tensions and legal battles on the horizon.
Conclusion:
The announcement by Pakistan’s government to ban PTI and pursue treason charges against Imran Khan underscores escalating political friction, with implications for the country’s governance and judicial processes.