Pakistan to Ban Ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan's Party

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Facts

• Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Monday that former Prime Minister Imran Khan's political party — Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) — will be banned for its alleged anti-state activities.¹
• He said Pakistan's government decided to impose the ban based on the 'proven' charge of the party accepting foreign funds from unlawful sources and the involvement of its cadre in last year's violent riots.²
• The government will also bring treason charges against Khan, who was deposed by a no-confidence vote in parliament in 2022.³
• This comes days after Pakistan's top court ruled that Khan's party was eligible for further seats in parliament after the PTI candidates were forced to stand as independents in the Feb. 8 election.⁴
• Monday's announcement also comes after Khan and his wife, Bushra Khan, were acquitted of charges of unlawful marriage, which carried a seven-year sentence — paving the way for his possible release.⁵
• Earlier this month, a 17-page UN report alleged that Khan was arbitrarily imprisoned in violation of international law and was routinely denied due process rights in his legal battle.⁶

Sources: ¹Al Jazeera, ²Reuters, ³Guardian, ⁴NDTV.com, ⁵Dw.Com and ⁶Verity.

Narratives

• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by The Express Tribune. This is politically motivated and unconstitutional. The Shehbaz Sharif-led government has become frustrated as Imran Khan's party remains immensely popular and holds significant sway in Parliament. By upping the ante against PTI and Pakistan's most popular leader, the government wants to further Pakistan into political instability and uncertainty. However, all of his opponents' anti-democracy moves will not prevent Khan from returning to power as the judiciary is asserting itself now.
• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by GEO. Khan's actions have been treasonous, having sabotaged Pakistan's deal with the International Monetary Fund, received funds from Indian Americans, and manipulated the US to pass a resolution calling for a probe into Pakistan's February vote. If Pakistan is to move forward, it can't do so with the PTI, which, it should also be noted, previously banned its own political opponents. The PTI is getting what it deserves morally and legally.

Predictions