Pakistan Government Plans to Ban Imran Khan’s Party for Alleged Anti-State Activities

Pakistan’s Information Minister announced on Monday that the government led by Shehbaz Sharif intends to initiate proceedings to ban the political party of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Attaullah Tarar made this statement in Islamabad, following recent court rulings that have been favorable to the beleaguered leader.

“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.

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Government’s Decision to Ban PTI Amid Judicial Dispute

The decision to ban Khan’s party was taken due to the judiciary’s non-cooperation with the Pakistani government and its military-run intelligence agency, the ISI.

Jailed since August last year, the country’s Supreme Court on Saturday acquitted Imran Khan and his third wife, Bushra Bibi, on charges of unlawful marriage. However, he will not be freed as authorities have issued new orders for his arrest.

Following the top court’s verdict, the Shehbaz Sharif-led government was “upset” by the relief granted to Khan and Bibi in ongoing cases. The source also added that the decision to ban PTI has clearance from the top levels of the ISI and the Pakistani Army.

The 71-year-old cricketer-turned-politician has been jailed for several court cases he says were orchestrated to prevent his return to power in the February elections.

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Imran Khan Faces Government Allegations

Last week, the Pakistan Supreme Court granted the PTI more seats in parliament in a landmark ruling. Adding to that, Khan’s illegal marriage conviction was overturned on Saturday. “In view of the foreign funding case, May 9 riots, and the cipher episode as well as the resolution passed in the US, we believe that there is very credible evidence present to have the PTI banned,” Tarar was quoted as saying by Dawn.

The minister said that whether it was the foreign funding case, the riots of May 9, or the manipulation of the cipher saga, the PTI continued decrying that the country was in danger. “You tried to damage the country’s diplomatic relations for the sake of your political interests and went on to get a resolution passed against Pakistan in the US,” he said.