Pakistan is planning to ban former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s political party and move the country’s top court to press treason charges against him, the information minister said on Monday.
The move to ban Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is based on the proven charge of the party receiving foreign funds from illegal sources in Pakistan, as well as rioting by its supporters last year that targeted military installations, Minister Attaullah Tarar said.
“The federal government will move a case to ban the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf,” he said, adding that the plan will be taken up before the cabinet, which is empowered to make a decision.
The government will also file a legal reference against Khan and former President Arif Alvi for treason charges under the country’s constitution before the Supreme Court, Tarar added.
Khan’s aide Zulfikar Bukhari called the decision a move towards “soft martial law.” “This is a sign of panic as they have realized the courts can’t be threatened and put under pressure,” he said.
PTI candidates contested the February 8 election as independents after the party was barred from the polls.
The Supreme Court ruled last week that the party was eligible for more than 20 extra reserved seats in parliament, ramping up pressure on the country’s weak coalition government. It is unclear what impact the planned ban would have on the court’s decision to grant reserved seats.
Tarar said the government would seek a legal review of the reserved seats issue. He also cited PTI lobbying in Washington for a resolution against Pakistan’s elections and writing to the IMF to demand an election audit before assisting the country as reasons for the decision.
Khan, jailed since August, was acquitted on Saturday, along with his third wife, on charges that they married unlawfully. However, he will not be freed after authorities issued new orders to arrest him.
Khan came to power in 2018 and was ousted in 2022 after falling out with Pakistan’s powerful military.
Source: Reuters
