ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, while addressing a news conference in Islamabad, announced that a decision had been made to impose ban on the PTI. He said that the government will refer the case to the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He maintained that clear evidence was available to impose restrictions on the PTI, and the government would initiate proceedings to do the same. He said, “Pakistan and PTI cannot move together. We have credible evidence against PTI”.
Article 6 Proceedings Against Imran Khan
“In view of May 9 riots, the foreign funding case, and the cipher episode as well as the resolution approved in the United States, we believe that there is a credible evidence present to have the PTI banned,” the minister said. He further explained, “We are going to impose a ban on PTI and we believe that Article 17 of the Constitution of Pakistan gives the government the right to ban political parties, and this matter will be referred to the SC.” He said that PTI attempted to damage the nation’s diplomatic ties for the sake of their political interests and went on to get a resolution approved against Pakistan in the US.
Govt to File Review Petition in SC
The decisions, as per the minister, were taken in light of the former ruling party’s involvement in the May 9 violence and the PTI’s former or current leaders’ attempts to sabotage Islamabad’s deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
He further said that the government has also decided to start article 6 proceedings against the then President Arif Ali Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan and deputy speaker of the national assembly.
He said that the government has also took the decision to file a review petition in the Supreme Court of Pakistan in reserved seats case. He said that the matters will be presented in the upcoming federal cabinet for the approval.
Speaking about the SC’s verdict in reserved seats, the Minister said the PTI was not a party and its members did not say they are a part of the party. Stressing that the review petition against the apex court judgement is justified, he said that the minorities and women, who had suffered injustices, believe that this petition must be filed.
