Govt denies new orders to book Imran for sedition

Govt clarified month-old development being repackaged by some media outlets for malicious reasons

LAHORE:

The Punjab government has vehemently denied issuing new instructions or recommendations to the police or any authority to file cases against PTI chief Imran Khan and his party.

The government clarified that a month-old development was being “repackaged by some media outlets for malicious reasons”.

On Wednesday, reports surfaced that the government had instructed authorities to charge PTI and its leader Imran Khan with sedition, attempting, and abetting to wage war against Pakistan.

The reports claimed that the cabinet had approved the instructions, which had accused the former prime minister of orchestrating a campaign to destabilise the nation. They also drew parallels between the current political situation and the secession of East Pakistan.

Given the PML-N government has been quick in acting against PTI, with multiple cases filed against its leaders, the media reporting was met with scepticism.

However, contrary to the reports, Punjab government spokesperson and Information Minister Azma Bukhari denied such development.

She clarified that the approval to book Imran Khan and his party for offences against the state was sought by the Home Department back in May. On May 24, the cabinet accorded that said question its approval, as was required by law.

Bukhari emphasised that there has been no further development in this regard, adding that media outlets portraying the situation as a fresh development was beyond her understanding.