PAKISTAN CONSIDERING BANNING FORMER PM IMRAN KHAN’S PARTY: DEFENCE MINISTER

Wed 24 May 2023:

Pakistan is considering outlawing Imran Khan’s party for allegedly attacking the state, says the defence minister. This move is expected to infuriate Imran Khan’s fans and escalate his conflict with the military establishment.

The powerful military, which has ruled directly or oversaw administrations throughout Pakistan’s history, and the influential civilian politicians are engaged in a long-running rivalry that has reached its most recent, crucial phase.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday told reporters that Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party had attacked the “very basis of state”, which could not be tolerated.

“It is under consideration to ban PTI,” he said, adding the parliament would have to give final approval for a government decision to ban the party.

The minister referred to Khan’s protesting supporters who this month attacked military installations, including army headquarters, and government buildings.

PTI party lawyer Ali Zafar said any such move would be challenged in court. He said an entire party cannot be blamed for acts committed by individuals.

Meanwhile, Khan, who heads the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, condemned the government’s crackdown on his party and its supporters.

In an interview with CNN on Sunday, Khan said, “Everything is being done to dismantle our democracy.”

“My entire senior leadership is in jail,” he told the United States-based broadcaster, adding that he could also be arrested on Tuesday.

“I am going to Islamabad for a bail on Tuesday, and there’s an 80 percent chance I will be arrested. There is no rule of law,” the 70-year-old politician said.

Khan was removed from power in April last year after he lost a confidence vote in parliament. Since then, he has been demanding early national elections, otherwise due by October this year.

The PTI chief has repeatedly alleged the government is colluding with the powerful military to keep him out of the electoral process.

“My worry is that there won’t be any elections even then [in October] unless they are clear my party does not win,” he said.

However, Khan added that he “never had a problem” with the army. “How can you win by taking on your own army? It’s a pyrrhic victory,” he told CNN.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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