A Big Statement From Defence Minister of Pakistan
"Pakistan Contemplates Ban on Imran Khan's Party for
Assaulting State Foundations."
According to
the Defence Minister, Pakistan is thinking of banning the party of former
Prime Minister
Imran Khan, a decision that is likely to elicit ardent responses from his
supporters and
escalate the existing conflict with the military establishment. The Pakistan
Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by the former cricket star, has allegedly
begun an attack on the core institutions of the state, a position that Khawaja
Asif found untenable.
This
development takes place in the midst of a protracted conflict between important
civilian politicians and the military, which has historically exercised direct
control over or supervised government in Pakistan. Khan's followers have
protested heavily as a result of the confrontation, raising questions about the
stability of the nuclear-armed country as it struggles with its worst economic
crisis in decades.
Defence
Minister Khawaja Asif explained the government's consideration of imposing a
ban on PTI during a news conference on Wednesday. He gave examples of times
when
Khan's
followers assaulted government buildings and military facilities, such as army
headquarters. The parliament would need to give its final assent if the
prohibition were to go into effect.
Defence
Minister Khawaja Asif explained the government's consideration of imposing a
ban on PTI during a news conference on Wednesday. He gave examples of times
when
Khan's
followers assaulted government buildings and military facilities, such as army
headquarters. The parliament would need to give its final consent if the ban
were to proceed.
In 2018, Imran
Khan became prime minister with the military's implicit support, a claim that
was contested at the time by both parties. Khan was said to have interfered in
critical security-related promotions, which caused a rift with the generals and
heightened tensions. As a result, he was dismissed from his position in 2022
after a vote of no confidence.
Khan, 70, has
since actively campaigned for an early general election, enlisting his
followers across the country. Nevertheless, his successor,
The
proposal was rejected by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who insisted on holding
the election as
planned in October of this year.
Khan is also accused of corruption, which he firmly rejects and characterises as politically driven lies intended to keep him out of politics during an election year. His arrest on May 9 in relation to these allegations sparked demonstrations from his followers, who then damaged military sites. Khan was subsequently granted bail and freed.
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