Imran Khan
Pakistan’s government is seeking to ban the party of imprisoned ex-prime minister Imran Khan, according to the country’s communications minister, in a move that is likely to exacerbate the country’s ongoing political turmoil.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad on Monday, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the government would approach the Supreme Court after obtaining cabinet approval, which is required by law to ban a political party.
“Pakistan and the PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) cannot work together. “A number of recent events have proven this,” Tarar said.
“That is why the government will ban the PTI,” he said, adding that the process would begin in the next few days.
He was referring to the PTI’s apparent role in attacks on military installations in May last year, following Khan’s temporary detention in a corruption case.
Imran Khan was ousted in a no-confidence vote in April 2021 and is currently detained with his wife in the northern garrison city of Rawalpindi for alleged involvement in various corruption and violence-related crimes.
The cricketer-turned-politician has been acquitted in two of the three trials in which he was convicted, while the third remains suspended.
The information minister said the government would also file a review petition with the Supreme Court challenging its decision last week to certify the PTI as eligible for reserved seats for women and minorities.
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