Pakistan plans to ban former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s political party and the Supreme Court will indict him for treason, the information minister said.
The move to ban the Pakistan Justice Movement (PTI) is based on proven allegations that the party receives foreign funds from illegal sources in Pakistan, as well as on unrest by its supporters last year against military installations, said Minister Attaullah Tarar.
“The federal government will seek a ban on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf,” he said, adding that the plan would be submitted to the Cabinet, which would have the authority to take a decision.
The government will also file a case against Khan and former President Arif Alvi in the Supreme Court for treason under the country’s constitution, Tarar said.
Khan’s adviser Zulfikar Bukhari said the decision was a step towards “soft martial law”.
“This is a sign of panic because they have realized that you cannot threaten and put pressure on the courts,” he said.
PTI candidates contested the February 8 elections as independents after being barred from participating in the election.
The Supreme Court ruled last week that the party was entitled to over 20 additional reserved seats in parliament, increasing pressure on the country’s weak coalition government.
It was initially unclear what impact the planned ban would have on the court’s decision to grant reserved seats.
Tarar said the government would seek a legal review of the reserved seats issue.
He said the PTI’s lobbying in Washington to gain the support of the US House of Representatives for a resolution against the elections in Pakistan and a letter to the IMF demanding an election audit before providing aid to the country were also reasons for the decision.
Khan, who has been in prison since August, was acquitted on Saturday along with his third wife of unlawful marriage charges. However, he will not be released as authorities have issued a new arrest warrant for him.
Khan came to power in 2018 and was overthrown in 2022 after clashes with the powerful Pakistani military.