Pakistan Government Moves to Ban Imran Khan's PTI Amid Treason Allegations

The Pakistan government has announced its decision to ban Imran Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), on charges of foreign funding, riots, and anti-state activities. The government plans to take the matter to the Supreme Court and implicate several PTI leaders, including former president Arif Alvi, in treason cases.

Upping the ante against Imran Khan, the Pakistan government on Monday said it has decided to ban his party on charges of illegally receiving foreign funds, involvement in riots, and alleged anti-state activities warranting treason charges against the jailed former prime minister.

Announcing the unexpected move, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, highlighted the activities of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its leadership, accusing them of attempting to weaken the sovereignty of the country and harm its international integrity.

Tarar declared, 'PTI and Pakistan cannot co-exist,' and stated that the matter would go to the Cabinet and the Supreme Court. He added that the government had decided to file cases against PTI founder Imran Khan, former president Arif Alvi, and ex-National Assembly deputy speaker Qasim Suri for subverting the Constitution.

The minister further alleged that PTI's actions involved everything from obtaining prohibited funding to sabotaging the IMF deal and resettling the Taliban in Pakistan.

Despite the government's claims, PTI reacted sharply, calling the move 'desperation' and a 'sign of panic' within the federal administration.

Tarar insisted that a series of events showed PTI's anti-state agenda, pointing to the foreign funding case, May 9 riots, and the cipher episode as all supporting a durable and credible basis for banning PTI.

(With inputs from agencies.)