Pakistan’s government has announced plans to ban the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar revealed on Monday that the government would present the case to both the cabinet and potentially the Supreme Court.
The government cites illegal foreign funding and violent protests as key reasons for the ban. This decision follows a series of contentious events, including last year’s riots involving PTI supporters that targeted military installations.
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The PTI, already barred from February’s elections, contested as independents, and a recent Supreme Court ruling allocated the party additional seats in parliament, complicating the political landscape for Pakistan’s fragile coalition government. The impact of the proposed ban on these reserved seats remains uncertain, with the government seeking a legal review of the issue.
Amid these developments, Khan, who has been imprisoned since August, was acquitted of charges related to an unlawful marriage but remains detained under new orders. His arrest and the potential party ban mark a significant escalation in the conflict between Khan, who was ousted in 2022 after disagreements with the military, and the current administration.