In a significant development, the Pakistani government has announced plans to ban the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, citing allegations of anti-state activities. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed the government’s decision, stating, “The federal government will move a case to ban the PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf),” as reported by AFP.
This move follows the arrest of Imran Khan by Lahore Police earlier in the day. The cricketer-turned-politician is being held in connection with cases related to the riots of May 9 last year. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) secured his eight-day remand in the Toshakhana case, intensifying the political turmoil surrounding Khan’s party.
The government’s decision comes just days after the Supreme Court of Pakistan ruled that the PTI is eligible for a share of reserved seats in the national and provincial assemblies. This judicial endorsement had positioned PTI as the largest party in the National Assembly, holding 109 seats.
The ban proposal marks a significant escalation in the ongoing political standoff. The Shehbaz Sharif-led government has justified its actions by accusing PTI of undermining state stability, a charge that has added fuel to the already heated political climate in the country.
As the legal and political battles unfold, the future of PTI and its role in Pakistan’s political landscape hangs in the balance. The party’s supporters, who remain vocal in their opposition to the government’s move, see it as a direct attack on democratic rights and political freedom. The next steps in this saga will likely draw widespread attention, both domestically and internationally, as Pakistan navigates through these turbulent times.