ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has said that the federal government was making attempt to ban the party “out of desperation” as the Supreme Court of Pakistan had ruled in its favour in the reserved seats case, local media reported on Monday.
According to media reports, senior PTI leader Senator Ali Zafar claimed that his party would not allow the decision’s implementation “even for a second” as it is against the law. His remarks come as Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tara said that the government took the decision to ban the PTI and file treason references against the PTI founder Imran Khan and ex-president Arif Alvi.
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
He 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 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.
