Ban on PTI - Khawaja Asif

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif disclosed on Wednesday that the government is contemplating the prohibition of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The move comes amidst a backdrop of political turmoil in the country, triggered by Imran's arrest on corruption charges on May 9, followed by his subsequent release on bail as per court orders.

 

Imran, who vehemently denies the corruption allegations, finds himself entangled in a confrontation with the current government and state institutions.

Asif informed reporters, "The consideration to ban PTI is underway. The PTI has attacked the fundamental foundations of the state, something that has never happened before. This cannot be tolerated." Imran's arrest sparked violent protests nationwide, resulting in attacks on military establishments and the torching of government buildings.

Subsequently, the rioters are now facing trials in military courts, while PTI leaders find themselves subjected to repeated arrests and home raids.

Adding to the perplexing political landscape characterized by arrests, releases, and re-arrests, PTI leaders appear to be caught in a revolving door, with a continuous exodus from the party and politics, leaving observers and the public in a constant state of bewilderment.

It seems that their resilience is being shattered by an unrelenting cycle of arrests and re-arrests that takes a toll on their spirits. Senior PTI leader Dr. Shireen Mazari, for instance, eventually succumbed to this ordeal after being rearrested five times, announcing her departure from the political stage on Tuesday evening.

Another notable departure from the PTI was former Punjab Information Minister Fayyazul Hasan Chohan, who made a fiery announcement of his resignation from the party during a press conference on the same day.

Imran, in an earlier interview with AFP, lamented the crackdown faced by his party, stating, "Our party has been facing a crackdown for almost a year. I was ousted from power through a conspiracy orchestrated by the former army chief."

According to the former prime minister, the ensuing violence was a premeditated "conspiracy" designed to justify the suppression of his party.

The unrest led to the detention of over 7,000 individuals, and at least 19 senior PTI officials were arrested, some of whom were apprehended during overnight raids on their residences, on charges of inciting violence.

However, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah countered these claims, stating, "This terrorism and mob violence were all pre-planned, and it was orchestrated by Imran."