Pakistan to Ban Imran Khan’s PTI, Citing Anti-State Activities
In its latest effort to curb the influence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the federal government announced on Monday its decision to ban the party and pursue Article 6 proceedings against its founder Imran Khan, former president Dr. Arif Alvi, and former National Assembly deputy speaker Qasim Suri.
This move is widely seen as an attempt to prevent the imprisoned former prime minister Khan’s PTI from emerging as the largest party in the National Assembly.
The announcement follows a series of favorable decisions for PTI by the Supreme Court, including relief in the reserved seats case and the Iddat case involving the party chief.
The potential impact of the proposed ban on the Supreme Court’s rulings regarding reserved seats and PTI-affiliated lawmakers remains unclear.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Information Minister Atta Tarar emphasized that for the country to progress, PTI must cease to exist.
Article 17 (2) of the Constitution states that “every citizen, not being in the service of Pakistan, shall have the right to form or be a member of a political party, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan.”
“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.
“We are going to impose a ban on PTI and we believe that Article 17 of the Constitution gives the government the right to ban political parties, and this matter will be referred to the Supreme Court.”
It further adds that “such law shall provide that where the Federal Government declares that any political party has been formed or is operating in a manner prejudicial to the sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan, the Federal Government shall, within fifteen days of such declaration, refer the matter to the Supreme Court whose decision on such reference shall be final.”
“Your (Imran Khan) whole family was involved in those attacks. Your three sisters were present outside the Lahore core commander’s house,” he Added.
The 8-5 majority verdict declared that the lack or denial of an election symbol does not in any manner affect the Constitutional or legal rights of a political party to participate in an election, whether general or by, and to field candidates and that the commission is under a Constitutional duty to apply all statutory provisions accordingly.