Islamabad: BAN PTI – In a significant move to suppress the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the federal government announced on Monday its decision to ban the party and initiate Article 6 proceedings against its founder, Imran Khan, former president Dr. Arif Alvi, and former National Assembly deputy speaker, Qasim Suri.
This action appears aimed at preventing PTI, led by the incarcerated former prime minister Khan, from becoming the largest party in the National Assembly. The announcement follows recent relief granted to PTI by the Supreme Court in the reserved seats case and to Khan in the Iddat case.
The potential impact of the ban on the Supreme Court’s decision regarding reserved seats and PTI-affiliated lawmakers remains uncertain.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Information Minister Atta Tarar emphasized that PTI’s existence hinders the country’s progress. “In view of the foreign funding case, the May 9 riots, and the cipher episode, as well as the resolution passed in the US, we believe there is credible evidence to ban PTI,” Tarar stated.
The government cites Article 17 of the Constitution, which permits banning political parties deemed prejudicial to Pakistan’s sovereignty or integrity. The matter will be referred to the Supreme Court for final decision within fifteen days of the declaration.
Tarar accused PTI of damaging the country’s diplomatic relations for political gain, referencing the cipher authored by former Pakistani ambassador to the US, Asad Majeed, which PTI claimed posed a threat to Pakistan.
Additionally, the government plans to file a high treason reference under Article 6 against Arif Alvi, Imran Khan, and Qasim Suri for dissolving assemblies in April 2022 despite a no-confidence motion against Khan in Parliament. The reference will be sent to the Supreme Court after cabinet approval.
Article 6 states that any person attempting to abrogate or suspend the Constitution by force or unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason.
The government also intends to file a review petition against the Supreme Court’s recent verdict favoring PTI in the reserved seats case. The verdict had overturned decisions by the Peshawar High Court and the Election Commission of Pakistan, granting reserved seats for women and minorities to PTI-backed candidates who had won elections as independents.
Tarar argued that PTI was not a party in the case and that SIC members never expressed a desire to join PTI, questioning the legal accuracy of the Supreme Court’s decision.
In response, PTI condemned the government’s decision, warning it could destabilize the country. The party’s leadership and supporters expressed their opposition, asserting that banning PTI would lead to civil unrest.
PTI Punjab Acting President Hammad Azhar criticized the move, contrasting it with the government’s treatment of other political groups. Senate opposition leader Shibli Faraz accused the government of targeting Imran Khan out of fear, calling the ban a last-ditch effort.
Faraz emphasized the government’s preoccupation with Khan over addressing the country’s fundamental issues, blaming the nation’s troubles on incapable and unqualified leaders.
