IANS | 15 Jul, 2024
Pakistan's Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah
Tarar announced on Monday that the Shehbaz Sharif government has decided to
impose a ban on rival Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, coupled with a plan
to file a treason case against its founder and the country's former Prime
Minister Imran Khan in the Supreme Court.
Tarar, who addressed a press conference in Islamabad, stated that the
government has ample evidence to impose a ban on PTI and initiate legal
proceedings against the party and its top leadership.
"There have been recent efforts to create unrest in the country. A
film trailer titled 'Saat Khoon Maaf' was also a cruel intention to label some
individuals as being above the law," he said.
"The government will also take action against several prominent
figures, including former President Dr. Arif Alvi, PTI founder and former Prime
Minister Imran Khan and former National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim
Suri," he added.
Tarar mentioned that treason cases under Article 6 of the constitution,
which would include blockade of their CNIC (Computerized National Identity
Card) and passports, will be lodged against the top PTI leaders.
"A parliamentary resolution would also be brought against
them," he said.
The minister criticised Imran Khan for being the "worst
leader", accusing him of establishing the precedent of imprisoning women
and daughters while pointing at the arrests of Faryal Talpur, sister of current
President Asif Ali Zardari, and Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister of Punjab
and daughter of former premier Nawaz Sharif during the time when he was the
country's Prime Minister.
Experts reckon the ban on PTI as the proverbial last nail with the
government and the military establishment vowing to put an end to Imran Khan's
political career and PTI's existence.
"Imran Khan and his party has still not been forgiven for what they
did on May 9 and 10 last year when military installations were attacked and
vandalised by PTI supporters and leaders, which undoubtedly was a pre-planned
and strategised attack," said political analyst Adnan Shaukat.
"At the same time, it is also true that Imran Khan and his party
are getting relief from the courts in legal cases because of the ongoing war
between the judiciary and the military establishment. PTI is back in the
parliament because of the Supreme Court order and may get more benefits from
the ongoing fight between the judiciary and establishment. It is because of
this that the government is being used by the military to diminish Imran
Khan," he added.
The ruling government is also planning to file a case on Imran Khan
government's decision to dissolve the assemblies during April 2022, through
advice given by the PM house to then President Alvi.
The government maintains that the move, later quashed by the Supreme
Court of Pakistan, constitutes an attempt to abrogate or subvert the
constitution, which comes under high treason.
Article 6 of the Constitution of Pakistan states that any person who
abrogates or subverts or suspends or holds in abeyance, or attempts or
conspires to abrogate or show or force or by any other unconstitutional means
shall be guilty of high treason.
It further adds that any person aiding, or abetting (or collaborating)
the acts mentioned shall not be validated by any court including the Supreme
Court and High Court.
The procedure to refer to Article 6 would require the government to file
a reference against Imran Khan, Dr. Arif Alvi and Qasim Suri in the Supreme
Court and file treason cases against them while also initiating the same
actions to impose a ban on PTI.