Ban on PTI once institutions decide: Ahsan

ISLAMABAD: With the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) facing a potential ban, the federal government has said that the institutions will go forward with banning the former ruling party once they believe they have a strong case against the Imran Khan-founded party.

“When the [interior ministry’s] institutions have [necessary] evidence and they believe that they have a strong case in light of the law and the Constitution then they can always move forward [on PTI ban],” said Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal while speaking to a foreign news outlet.

“The PTI and Pakistan cannot co-exist,” Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar had told a press conference in Islamabad last month, adding that the government will also file a reference against the then-prime minister, then-president Arif Alvi and then National Assembly deputy speaker Qasim Suri under Article 6 of the Constitution — which relates to treason. Continuing on the ban issue, Ahsan Iqbal remarked that any decision taken in this regard must be one that can survive and stand legal scrutiny and said that therefore, the interior ministry’s institutions might be assessing the relevant evidence in this regard.

Regardless of whether the PTI is banned or not, one thing is clear that the party’s politics is currently targeting the state’s interests, he said.

“The PTI should review their behaviour and seek apology from the [state] institutions and the masses [and then] maybe a way forward can emerge for them,” noted Iqbal.

Highlighting that a party cannot be banned only on the will of the government, he said that the decision was taken in light of the propaganda campaign abroad.

Responding to a question regarding the government’s stance on the PTI-military talks, the politician said that Khan was inviting the military to intervene in politics while simultaneously claiming to be advocating for civilian supremacy.

When asked about the contrast in the government’s policy with regards to the PTI on one hand has offered to hold talks whereas on the other has announced banning the party, Iqbal said that their stance is only that Khan’s party should change their conduct, apologise and there’s a possibility of them returning to national politics.