‘Ban military interference, not political parties,’ says ANP’s Aimal Wali

Awami National Party (ANP) President Aimal Wali Khan has voiced his opposition to the government's decision to ban the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), despite political and ideological differences.

"We oppose the ban on PTI. Our history shows that we have never supported undemocratic and dictatorial measures," Wali Khan lamented on Tuesday.

He recalled that the precedent for banning political parties in Pakistan was set by military dictator General Ayub Khan, he added that lessons from history are often ignored in the country.

It has emerged the PML-N-led government has not taken all coalition partners on board before announcing to ban PTI on Monday. Earlier, Central Secretary Information of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Shazia Marri, reacted to the decision to ban Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), stating that PPP was not taken into confidence regarding this decision, adding that the party will discuss the government's decision internally.

ANP's leader criticised the shifting allegiances towards military leadership depending on political power. "In power, the army chief is treated like a father, but once out of office, the same figure is branded as a traitor," he remarked.

He further highlighted the irony in political slogans, stating, "'Respect the vote' is only chanted when out of power, but once in control, that 'vote' becomes 'boot'."

He drew parallels between the current government and PTI's actions between 2018 and 2022.

"The game and its referee remain unchanged; only the players have switched sides. Those who benefited from this dirty game yesterday are suffering today," he commented.

He also noted the cyclical nature of political power in Pakistan.

"Today's beneficiaries will be tomorrow's victims, who will once again raise hollow slogans of revolution and democracy when out of power."

Khan stated, rather ironically, "The military dictator who set the trend of imposing bans now sees his grandson's party facing a ban."

He reiterated that the ANP, valuing democratic traditions, cannot support any ban on political parties. "If a ban is to be imposed, it should be on the military's interference in politics," he concluded