Punjab PA resolution seeks ban on PTI

LAHORE/ISLAMABAD:

With the embattled opposition party in the crosshairs of intense state scrutiny, government ministers on Tuesday appeared to move closer to endorsing punitive steps against PTI, including the possibility of a ban on the party and the imposition of governor's rule in PTI-ruled Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, while the Punjab Assembly passed a resolution seeking a ban on the party's incarcerated leader.

The Punjab Assembly adopted a resolution calling for a ban on the PTI founder and his party, accusing them of undermining national stability, promoting disorder and acting in alignment with the country's adversaries.

The resolution was moved by PML-N MPA Tahir Parvez, who urged decisive action against leaders found guilty of making statements against the state, fomenting unrest or weakening the country's security framework.

"The institutions that safeguard Pakistan on every front and have successfully countered an enemy five times larger, such as India, are vital to the country's integrity and stability," said the resolution.

"A ban should be imposed on the PTI and its founder, Imran Khan, for acting as a tool of the enemy state. He is also accused of making statements against the country and spreading chaos."

The resolution further demanded that all such leaders, regardless of their political or non-political affiliations, be proceeded against under the law and awarded punishment commensurate with their actions.

It also paid tribute to the officers and personnel of institutions working for Pakistan's stability and security, commending both their leadership and sacrifices.

Azma Bokhari

Warning that the government's patience with the PTI was growing thin, Information Minister Azma Bokhari said and hinted at the possibility of a ban on the latter, alleging the PTI's own actions were steadily narrowing the available options.

Speaking at a news conference in Lahore, the minister addressed speculation surrounding a possible ban on the PTI and the imposition of governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying that her own political instincts ran against such measures.

"As a political worker, I do not support that any party should be banned or that governor's rule should be imposed," she said.

However, she cautioned that the prevailing circumstances could force the state's hand. "Considering the state of affairs, the PTI is pushing us to go in that direction," she added.

Bokhari drew attention to the deteriorating security situation in the PTI-led K-P, saying that terrorism continued to plague the province while its policing capacity remained inadequate.

"On the one hand, K-P remains most afflicted by terrorism, the police their remain understaffed; they do not yet have a Crimes Control Department (CCD), and police do not have the necessary equipment," she said.

She argued that the PTI's rhetoric had moved beyond political opposition and was now imperilling national stability. "Pakistan [is being] put at stake, and if they do not stop, we will not be left with any other options".

She also drew a parallel between the incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan and the self-exiled MQM leader Altaf Hussain, whose speeches were barred by court order in 2015 after remarks against state institutions.

"He has the same policies as Altaf Hussain, which were still quite mild compared to his (Imran)," she said.

"I fear that perhaps he will meet the same fate as Altaf Hussain."

In an apparent reference to Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, the information minister also accused the PTI of deliberately targeting the head of a state institution through sustained political attacks.

"If you are going to engage in a campaign against the head of an institution, it will not be long until a full stop is placed," she warned.

Dredging up events from the PTI's time in power, Bokhari said Pakistan had suffered international isolation during the party's tenure. In contrast, the country was now regaining its footing on the global stage.

"Pakistan is now on track, and the PTI cannot digest it because whatever is good for Pakistan…this group considers it bad news."

She maintained that Pakistan could no longer "run in parallel with Imran's politics," adding that the government's restraint was wearing thin.

"We have tolerated this for 2.5 years; there is a limit," she said, describing the PTI as having become a "threat" to the country.

State Barrister Aqeel Malik

Separately, Minister of State Barrister Aqeel Malik alleged that the party had allowed individual impulses to dictate its entire narrative and called for zero tolerance for targeting institutions.

He said that since 2011, a pattern of political recklessness had been set in motion.

The minister also justified the stance taken by state institutions in response to PTI's politics, saying the response was justified. He warned that every action inevitably provokes a reaction.

He questioned the rationale behind repeatedly singling out institutions and said the situation had gone on long enough and needed to end.

He further claimed there was "no difference" between PTI's narrative and that circulating on Indian and Afghan social media platforms. He urged the party not to drag the armed forces into a "dirty political game", as security personnel continued to sacrifice their lives.

He said the option of imposing governor's rule in K-P was being considered seriously, blaming the former prime minister for allowing terrorism to gain ground in the province.

He went on to accuse the PTI of obstructing intelligence-based operations and resisting counterterrorism efforts, arguing that such conduct made normal politics impossible.

Barrister Aqeel Malik also argued that the PTI itself was suffering under its jailed founder's leadership, claiming that even within parliament, party members privately sought ways out of the political impasse.

He said the government did not believe in retaliatory politics and had never practised it, but insisted that the consequences PTI faced were of its own making.

The minister urged the party to finally draw a clear line on where it stood, whether with Pakistan or with its enemies, and warned that anyone obstructing Pakistan's path to progress could not be considered loyal to the country.

Referring to the violent PTI protests on November 26, he said that arriving with nail-studded sticks was "no less than terrorism" and could not be justified under any political pretext.