Pakistan Bans Imran Khan’s Party For Alleged Anti State Activities (image-facebook/imran khan)
The Pakistan government will ban former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, or PTI, for alleged anti-state activities.
“The decisions were taken in light of the former ruling party’s involvement in the May 9 events and the PTI’s former or current leaders’ attempts to sabotage Pakistan’s deal with the International Monetary Fund,” said the country’s information minister, Attaullah Tarar.
Tarar also stated that there is “credible evidence” to corroborate accusations against Khan, including leaking state secrets under the cipher case and inciting riots. The Pakistani government, led by Shehbaz Sharif, has decided that the federal government will move a case to ban the political party. The case will be taken to the Supreme Court.
Last week, the top court ruled that PTI was eligible for more than 20 extra reserved seats at the national level, affirming its status as a political party. Tarar stated that the current government will submit a review petition before the court against its verdict. Additionally, Khan’s conviction in the illegal marriage case was overturned on Saturday.
The PTI called the move a “shameful attempt to undermine the foundations of the country” and rebuked the Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir and his “puppet government.”
The lengthy post on X further read, “By carrying out the funeral of democracy, on February 8, the people’s right to vote is openly robbed and General Asim Munir, who does not recognize the constitution and the law, and his followers hide behind the curtains and push Pakistan towards chaos, destruction and civil war. are making efforts, whose every conspiracy has been foiled by the people till now with patience and wisdom.”
Read Also: Pakistan Ex PM Imran Khan Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison
Currently one of the biggest opposition parties in the country, PTI was established in 1996 and came to power in 2018 under the leadership of Khan. It didn’t last long, with the government collapsing in April 2022 following a loss in a no-trust motion.
The ex-cricketer, 71, has been in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail for nearly a year in multiple cases against him. Khan claimed that the cases were a move to prevent him from returning to power in the elections held in February this year.
The cipher case concerns a diplomatic document reportedly disclosed, which later went missing from Khan’s possession. He had repeatedly rebuked the allegations against compromising state secrecy and alleged that it was a conspiracy to remove him from the PM’s office.
