Pakistan is planning to ban former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar. The decision is based on several factors, including the confirmed charge that PTI received foreign funds from illegal sources in Pakistan, and riots by the party’s leaders and supporters last year that targeted military installations, Tarar stated.
“The federal government will move a case to ban the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf,” Tarar announced, adding that the matter would be taken to the cabinet and the Supreme Court if necessary.
PTI candidates ran as independents in the February 8 election after being barred from the polls. On Friday, the Supreme Court ruled that the party was entitled to more than 20 additional reserved seats in parliament, increasing pressure on the already fragile coalition government.
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It remains unclear how the planned ban will affect the court’s decision to grant reserved seats. Tarar mentioned that the government would also seek a legal review of the reserved seats issue.
Imran Khan, who has been jailed since August, was acquitted on Saturday, along with his third wife, on charges of unlawful marriage. However, he will remain in custody as new arrest orders have been issued against him. Khan came to power in 2018 and was ousted in 2022 after a fallout with Pakistan’s powerful military.
Reported by Shilpa Jamkhandikar, Charlotte Greenfield, and Gibran Peshimam. Edited by Bernadette Baum and Angus MacSwan.
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