Balochistan PA passes resolution for ban on PTI

QUETTA: A resolution to impose a ban on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was passed in the Balochistan Assembly with the opposition staging a walkout.

On Thursday, during the BA session, the parliamentary leader of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) and Provincial Minister for Communications and Works Mir Saleem Khoso presented a joint resolution from provincial ministers and members of the assembly, including Mir Mohammad Sadiq Umrani, Mir Mohammad Asim Kurd Gelo, Raheela Hamid Khan Durrani, Bakht Mohammad Kakar, Wali Mohammad Noorzai, Barkat Ali Rind and Zarak Khan Mandokhail.

Saleem Khoso said PTI, a political party, was responsible for the nationwide riots and it once again carried out violent activities. The party had now taken the form of a violent group, spreading turmoil in the country. PTI’s destabilising agenda had severely impacted the country. It is evident that statements made by the constitutional chief minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa against the Federation and federal government align with the agenda of anti-state forces.

“The KP government’s open attack on the Federation using official machinery and resources is clear evidence of the enemy agenda,” he added. Minister Khoso said the Assembly strongly condemned the PTI actions in targeting security forces, attacking the media and Federation, and promoting chaos in the state of Pakistan. The Assembly expresses deep admiration for the services and sacrifices rendered by the armed forces, who are the pride of the nation. The Pakistan Army has always lived up to the nation’s expectations in difficult times, and its heroes have continually brought honour to the country.

He said the Balochistan Assembly strongly urges the federal government to immediately impose a ban on the PTI to prevent further instability in the country. Supporting the resolution, Minister Bakht Mohammad Kakar said bringing the resolution for a ban was a difficult task, but when a party fails to adhere to the Constitution and law, engages in abusive behaviour on social media against institutions and disregards constitutional principles, there is no option but to impose a ban.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) member Nawab Aslam Raisani strongly opposed the resolution and demanded that Imran Khan be allowed to participate in the political arena vso that he could compete with other political parties. Leader of the Opposition Mir Yunus Aziz Zehri said the PMLN and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) were political parties with their own sacrifices. “The JUI condemned the events of May 9 and also condemned the attack on Rangers personnel in Islamabad. However, if today, a ban is imposed on one political party, tomorrow other parties will also face bans. This will set a precedent and every party in power will impose a ban on the opposing party.” He suggested that the word “ban” should be removed from the resolution.

Dr Abdul Malik Baloch of the National Party said that he was saddened after hearing about the resolution. The parties with which they have struggled for democracy and the supremacy of Constitution and made sacrifices, are the same ones bringing forth this resolution for a ban today.

Hidayatur Rehman of Haq Do Tehreek opposed the resolution, stating that no party has killed more people than the MQM and yet they are part of the federal cabinet with their governor appointed in Sindh. He questioned why the PTI should be banned if one of its workers committed a wrong, while no ban was imposed on the killers of Baloch and Pashtuns. He asked if a ban was imposed after burning of trailers, shops and hotels after Benazir Bhutto’s assassination.

Opposition parties, including JUI, BNP, National Party and Haq Do Tehreek, members staged a walkout from the house. However, a member of the Awami National Party (ANP) stayed in the assembly.

A resolution to ban PTI immediately has been submitted to the Punjab Assembly.

PML-N MPA Rana Muhammad Fayyaz submitted the resolution, stating that PTI launched its protest in violation of the Islamabad High Court’s order. The MPA said the protest also targeted the national security institutions. The text of the resolution said that the anarchic party has proved that it does not respect any institution.