The Pakistan Government has informed that they are seeking to ban jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. Pakistan’s information minister, Attaullah Tarar, made the announcement on Monday, only days after a series of court decisions were made favouring the former leader.
The Supreme Court had granted Imran Khan’s PTI reserved seats in the Pakistan Parliament in a landmark ruling last week. Further, Imran Khan’s illegal marriage ruling was also overturned on Saturday.
“The federal government will move a case to ban the PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf),” Attaullah Tarar told reporters in Islamabad, saying the case would be taken to the Supreme Court.
“We believe that there is credible evidence that PTI should be banned,” he said, citing allegations against Khan including leaking state secrets and inciting riots.
According to the Geo News, Tarar told reporters in Islamabad, “PTI and Pakistan cannot co-exist”.
Pakistan information minister Attaullah Tarar also informed that the Pakistan government has decided to ban PTI owing to the ruling party’s involvement in the May 9 events.
On 9 May, PTI leaders allegedly attempted to sabotage Pakistan’s deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The development occurred after PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi was formally charged in connection with the May 9 riots, while Imran Khan was arrested for his alleged involvement in the incidents of that day.
Imran Khan has been jailed for nearly a year over a slew of court cases he says were orchestrated to prevent his return to power in February elections.