Pakistan government announces move to ban Imran Khan’s PTI

The Pakistani government has announced plans to ban Pakistan Terheek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar made the announcement on Monday, shortly after the Supreme Court ruled that PTI is eligible for reserved seats in national and provincial assemblies.

“The decision to ban PTI comes after reviewing all available evidence. We will file a case to ban the party,” said Tarar, citing allegations of inciting violent protests last year and leaking classified information. The case will be brought to the Supreme Court.

Additionally, the government intends to bring treason charges against Khan and two other senior PTI leaders — former President Arif Alvi and ex-Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri — and will file a review appeal against the Supreme Court’s ruling that granted PTI assembly seats reserved for women and religious minorities.

Sayed Zulfiqar Bukhari, a senior PTI leader and spokesperson, told Al Jazeera that the government’s decision “betrays their complete panic.” He claimed the government resorted to this move after failing to pressure or blackmail the courts and judges. Bukhari emphasized that previous attempts to stop PTI have been declared illegal by the courts.

Last week, the Supreme Court recognized PTI as a political party and affirmed that the absence of an election symbol does not affect its legal rights to field candidates. This ruling followed PTI’s ban from contesting parliamentary elections in February using its party symbol, the cricket bat, forcing its candidates to run as independents. Despite this, PTI-backed candidates secured 93 seats, forming the largest parliamentary bloc.

Khan refused to ally with political rivals, leading to a coalition government formed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), and other smaller parties.

Former Governor of Sindh Zubair, previously with the PMLN, said the government’s decision responds to the Supreme Court’s recent verdict, warning of impending political chaos. “The powers that be are trying to disenfranchise the largest majority of voters of the country, who voted for PTI,” he stated.

Khan, who served as prime minister from August 2018 until his removal in April 2022 following a parliamentary vote of no-confidence, has faced numerous legal challenges. These include charges of misplacing and leaking a classified cable sent to Islamabad by Pakistan’s then-ambassador in the United States in 2022. Khan has denied the charges, alleging that the document contained evidence of a plot by his political opponents and the military, with US assistance, to remove him from office. Both Washington and the Pakistani military deny the accusation.

Despite recent court decisions in his favor, Khan has remained behind bars since August last year.