(Web Desk Monitoring) — The federal government has decided to ban the former ruling party and file treason references against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), founder Imran Khan and former president Arif Alvi under Article 6.
“PTI and Pakistan cannot co-exist,” Information Minister Tarar announced during a press conference in Islamabad. He stated that the issue would be presented to the federal cabinet and the Supreme Court.
These decisions were made in response to the PTI’s involvement in the May 9 events and its leaders’ alleged attempts to sabotage Pakistan’s deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), according to Tarar.
This development follows PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s indictment related to the May 9 riots and Khan’s arrest for incidents on that day.
Regarding the foreign funding issue, the information minister criticized the PTI for failing to defend itself in the foreign funding case, claiming the party received funds from Indian-born United States citizens.
“Why did you [PTI] seek a stay order [in the case] for six years?” he questioned, suggesting that the party had no valid defense.
Tarar emphasized that financial support to political parties is often given with the expectation that the party will serve the donors’ interests if it comes to power. He accused the PTI of failing to explain and defend the funds received from certain international lobbies, including Israeli ones.
Reflecting on the May 9 riots, which were triggered by Khan’s arrest in a graft case, Tarar stated that PTI workers and supporters vandalized several military installations. He accused Khan of targeting national interests for personal gain.
“Your whole family was involved in those attacks. Your three sisters were present outside the [Lahore] corps commander’s house,” Tarar said.
He also condemned the PTI government for allegedly providing safe havens to terrorists and resettling them.
“Who gave you the right to resettle the Taliban […] and attack the institution responsible for guaranteeing the country’s sovereignty?” he noted.
Regarding the treason cases, Tarar announced that the ruling alliance plans to move a reference against the then-prime minister Imran Khan, then-president Arif Alvi, and then National Assembly deputy speaker Qasim Suri. This reference, under Article 6, will be sent to the Supreme Court after cabinet approval.
Tarar also touched upon the cipher case, accusing Khan and his party of manipulating a diplomatic cable to create a false narrative. The cipher case controversy revolves around Khan’s claim that Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Affairs Donald Lu sought his removal from the prime minister’s office. The claim was made the same month that then NA opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif tabled a no-confidence motion against Khan. However, the then NA deputy speaker Suri dismissed the motion, citing alleged US interference.
