LAHORE: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar addressed the media on Tuesday, revealing that the federal government has yet to make a decision regarding a potential ban on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). This announcement comes amid growing tensions and political unrest.
The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has been contemplating the ban on PTI and filing references against key PTI figures, including Imran Khan, Arif Alvi, and Qasim Suri, under Article 6 for their role in dissolving the National Assembly in April 2022. Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar had previously stated that the decision would follow a thorough consultation process with the government’s allies.
Ishaq Dar emphasized that any decision made would adhere strictly to the law and the Constitution, dismissing allegations of political motivation. He noted that the May 9 riots, which erupted following Khan’s arrest, were unacceptable, and emphasized the need for national integrity over political differences. The riots saw protests targeting government and military installations, and Dar stated that those involved must face appropriate penalties.
In his remarks, Dar accused PTI of being a foreign-funded party, citing findings from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that included donations from non-Muslim sources. He rejected claims that the current government was interfering in legal processes against Khan, asserting that the government was not involved in manipulating law enforcement or accountability agencies.
Dar also criticized the PTI’s governance, alleging economic mismanagement that led to Pakistan’s economic decline during Khan’s tenure. He claimed that the PML-N and the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) had worked to prevent economic default and restore diplomatic relations.
Following the ousting of Khan through a no-confidence motion in 2022, the PDM, led by Shehbaz Sharif, formed the government and has since been focused on stabilizing the country’s economy and politics.
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