ISLAMABAD, July 15 (NNI): The federal government has decided to ban the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan, alleging that the party was involved in a number of anti-State activities.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Monday, Federal Information Miniter Attaullah Tatar said that a reference would be filed against Imran Khan, former president Arif Alvi and National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri under Article 6.
Regarding the ban on PTI, Tarar said the matter will be discussed in the next Cabinet meeting and if approved then the case shall be sent to the apex court.
The Information Minister said that much havoc had been played with Pakistan and now it was ‘no more’. “The PTI and Pakistan cannot go along with each other. We are going to the file the case keeping in view all evidences. The matter will be sent to the Supreme Court of Pakistan,” he added.
“Article 17 of the Constitution empowers the federal government to ban a political party and there was credible evidence to support a ban on the PTI and cited the party’s involvement in foreign funding, the May 9 incident, its role in the resettlement of terrorists in Pakistan, the cipher episode, and the resolution passed in the United States,” said Atta Tarar.
He also announced that the government will file a review petition in the reserved seats case. “The decision has been made in consultation with the allies.”
The minister said that it was their right to file a review petition. “The government wants political and economic stability in the country,” he added.
The minister stated that a reference will also be filed against former president Arif Alvi, former prime minister Imran Khan, and former NA deputy speaker Qasim Suri for violating the Constitution when the assemblies were dissolved following the no-confidence motion against the PTI government.
“High treason action will be taken against those unleashing anti-state propaganda while sitting abroad,” he declared.
Tarar said there are certain lobbies sitting abroad which promote an anti-Pakistan agenda, support separatist movements and conspire against the country’s security and institutions. He mentioned the government has decided to take strict legal action against them, which may involve blocking their passports and identity cards.
Attaullah Tarar said that a case will be filed in the SC after approval from the cabinet for a ban and Article 6 proceedings against the PTI.
He also censured the PTI’s government for allegedly providing safe havens to terrorists and resettle them. “Who gave you the right to re-settle the Taliban […] and attack the institution that is responsible for guaranteeing the country’s sovereignty,” he noted.
“We have clear-cut proofs and court judgments regarding illegal and prohibited funding as well as the no-confidence motion,” he added. He said that there is a legal flaw in the SC judgment in the reserved seats case.
The Information Minister said the government will complete all these processes while remaining within the domain of law and constitution. He said these matters will be taken forward so that in future nobody could dare to violate the constitution, hurt the national interests and attack the defense institutions. NNI
