Pakistan govt to ban Imran Khan's party PTI for alleged anti-state activities
PTC Web Desk: The Pakistan government is set to ban the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, citing alleged anti-state activities. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced the decision, stating, "We believe that there is credible evidence that PTI should be banned."
Imran Khan, who has been in jail for nearly a year, faces numerous court cases that he claims are orchestrated to block his return to power in the upcoming February national elections. Recently, Imran Khan was 'arrested' by Lahore Police in connection with the May 9 riots of last year, after the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) secured his eight-day remand in the Toshakhana case.
Lahore's Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) dismissed his pre-arrest bail in three cases related to the May 9 riots and allowed the police to take him into custody for further interrogation. Imran Khan is charged with abetment in the attacks on the Lahore Corps Commander House, Askari Tower, and Shadman police station.
This move by the Shehbaz Sharif government follows a Supreme Court ruling that declared PTI eligible for a share of reserved seats in the national and provincial assemblies. Consequently, PTI has become the largest party in the National Assembly with 109 seats.
Imran Khan, who was ousted from power in 2022, has been vocally critical of the Pakistan Army leadership and its supporters. The 1992 World Cup-winning cricket captain is facing several legal challenges. Recently, an Islamabad court acquitted him and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the "iddat case" (also known as the un-Islamic nikah case), where they had been sentenced to seven years in prison and fined Rs five lakh (Pakistani currency) each following a challenge by Bushra's ex-husband Khawar Maneka.
- ANI
