Pakistan government to seek ban of ex-PM Imran Khan’s party
- The move follows court decisions that favoured Khan, who served as PM from 2018 to 2022 when he was ousted after falling out with the military establishment
Pakistan’s government will seek to ban the political party of jailed ex-prime minister Imran Khan, the information minister said on Monday, days after a series of court decisions that favoured the former leader.
Khan was jailed in the run-up to a February election, and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party was targeted by a crackdown analysts say was a result of his defiance against the country’s powerful military.
An alliance of parties considered close to the military came to power after the polls – marred by allegations of rigging – but crucial court decisions last week ruled in Khan’s favour.
“The federal government will move a case to ban the PTI,” Information Minister Attaullah Tarar told reporters, saying the case would be taken to the Supreme Court.
“We believe that there is credible evidence that PTI should be banned,” he said, citing allegations against Khan, including leaking state secrets and inciting riots.
“We will vigorously defend this case and spare no effort to contest it,” he added.
