ISLAMABAD: As the government considers banning the former ruling party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PIT) Senator Barrister Ali Zafar said Wednesday that the Supreme Court would reverse the decision within 24 hours if the government banned his party.
Following the May 9 riots, in which military installations were also targeted, a top minister said the federal government was considering eliminating the Imran Khan-led party.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said during a press conference in Islamabad that the PTI had targeted the basis of the state, which has never happened before. It simply cannot be accepted. The PTI workers came to the streets following their party chief’s arrest on the “Black Day” as dubbed by the army — in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case.
Supreme Court sets precedent govt cannot ban political party
The PTI senator, who is fighting the majority of Khan’s cases, told journalists outside the Supreme Court in Islamabad that vandalism is an “individual act” and that “no party can be banned” on that basis. He said that attempts have been made in the past to ban Jamaat-e-Islami.
In previous rulings, the Supreme Court set a precedent that [the government] cannot ban any political party. Further explaining, the PTI senator said that there are many laws that deal with a party that resorts to violence and incites hatred. The PTI senator said that if the PTI is banned, I believe the Supreme Court will overturn that decision within a day.”
Zafar added that “nobody is following” the law in the country, criticizing the fact that his party’s leaders were rearrested despite having secured bail. He went on to say that this is illegal, and they have filed a petition, and the court will take notice. PTI leaders, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Maleeka Bokhari, Musarrat Jamshed Cheema, and others, have been arrested again just minutes after being released on bail.
Shireen Mazari, a former PTI senior vice president, was arrested five times in less than two weeks. Following her sixth arrest, she declared her intention to leave active politics and resign from politics. Not only have party leaders been arrested, but thousands of workers have been jailed for the May 9 vandalism, with the army and government vowing to bring charges against those responsible.
