Jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has issued a strong response to the Pakistani government’s decision to ban the party. The government has accused PTI of engaging in anti-state activities and has moved to charge Khan and two senior party members with treason.
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Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced the government’s decision to ban PTI due to alleged involvement in antistate activities.
The decision will be presented to the Supreme Court supported by evidence of incitement of violent protests and the leaking of classified information.
The government accuses PTI of inciting violent protests in the previous year. PTI is also accused of leaking classified information, which is considered a serious security breach.
Treason charges are planned against Imran Khan, former President Arif Alvi and ex-Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri.
The Supreme Court handed a legal victory to PTI recognizing it as a political party entitled to a share of reserved seats in national and provincial assemblies.
The court ruled that the absence of an election symbol did not affect PTI’s legal rights to field candidates.
PTI was banned from contesting parliamentary elections in February using its party symbol forcing its candidates to run as independents. PTI-backed candidates secured the largest parliamentary bloc with 93 seats.
Senior PTI leader and spokesperson Sayed Zulfiqar Bukhari stated that the government’s decision shows panic and desperation.
Bukhari addressed that all attempts to undermine PTI have been declared illegal by the courts and that the party remains strong.
Ex-Governor Sindh Zubair previously with the PMLN warned that the government’s decision might lead to political chaos.
Attaullah Tarar, the Information Minister mentioned that the ban is related to the cipher case and a US Congressional Resolution on electoral rigging and politically motivated cases against PTI.
From Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Imran Khan described the government’s move as a sign of panic and desperation.
He is currently facing over 200 cases with convictions in a few contributing to his imprisonment. Khan achieved acquittal in the cipher case.
PTI has opposed the ban calling it unconstitutional and a panic-driven decision by the ruling coalition.
The party argues that such actions only confirm the presence of a soft martial law in Pakistan. PTI said that the Pakistani government ignored international observations from the UN and the US regarding political rights and judicial impartiality.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan ruled in favor of PTI, affirming its eligibility for seats reserved for women and minorities. This decision makes PTI the largest party in the National Assembly with 109 seats.
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The government’s frustration with this ruling has been evident as it plans to file a review petition against the decision.
PTI leader Senator Ali Zafar addressed that the government’s attempt to ban the party is an act of desperation.
He assured that PTI would challenge the ban deeming it unlawful. The HRCP condemned the ban as unconstitutional and a blow to democratic norms in Pakistan.
The general elections in February faced massive allegations of vote rigging with PTI claiming victory. The ruling coalition of PML-N and PPP, however, formed the government with each party securing key positions.
Imran Khan has consistently labeled the February elections as the Mother of All Rigging and accused his rivals of stealing the mandate.
Imran Khan had a conviction in an un-Islamic marriage case overturned. This relief was short-lived as he was arrested on new terrorism charges related to the May 9 riots.
Post-acquittal, Imran Khan faces 12 fresh terrorism cases and he was along with his wife has been handed over to anti-corruption officials for investigation.
Imran Khan has faced numerous legal challenges since his removal from office in April 2022 through a parliamentary vote of no-confidence.
He has been accused of misplacing and leaking the contents of a classified cable sent by Pakistan’s then-ambassador in the US.
Imran Khan denies these charges claiming they are part of a plot by his political opponents and the military allegedly with US support.
Imran Khan remains in jail due to various ongoing cases. A recent acquittal involved an unlawful marriage case, where a court overturned his seven-year sentence.
A UN panel of experts concluded that Khan’s detention lacks a legal basis and seems intended to prevent him from running for political office.
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