Islamabad: Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar announced on Monday that the Shehbaz Sharif government has decided to impose a ban on rival Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, coupled with a plan to file a treason case against its founder and the country’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Supreme Court.
Tarar, who addressed a press conference in Islamabad, stated that the government has ample evidence to impose a ban on PTI and initiate legal proceedings against the party and its top leadership.
“There have been recent efforts to create unrest in the country. A film trailer titled ‘Saat Khoon Maaf’ was also a cruel intention to label some individuals as being above the law,” he said.
“The government will also take action against several prominent figures, including former President Dr. Arif Alvi, PTI founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan and former National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri,” he added.
Tarar mentioned that treason cases under Article 6 of the constitution, which would include blockade of their CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card) and passports, will be lodged against the top PTI leaders.
“A parliamentary resolution would also be brought against them,” he said.
The minister criticised Imran Khan for being the “worst leader”, accusing him of establishing the precedent of imprisoning women and daughters while pointing at the arrests of Faryal Talpur, sister of current President Asif Ali Zardari, and Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister of Punjab and daughter of former premier Nawaz Sharif during the time when he was the country’s Prime Minister.
Experts reckon the ban on PTI as the proverbial last nail with the government and the military establishment vowing to put an end to Imran Khan’s political career and PTI’s existence.
“Imran Khan and his party has still not been forgiven for what they did on May 9 and 10 last year when military installations were attacked and vandalised by PTI supporters and leaders, which undoubtedly was a pre-planned and strategised attack,” said political analyst Adnan Shaukat.
