DNA
ISLAMABAD: Upping the ante against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the federal government has decided to ban the former ruling party as well as file references against PTI founder Imran Khan and former president Arif Alvi for treason under Article 6.
“PTI and Pakistan cannot co-exist,” Tarar told a press conference in Islamabad, saying that the federal government would move the apex court to file a petition to ban the party.
The decisions, as per Tarar, were taken in light of the former ruling party’s involvement in the May 9 events and the PTI’s former or current leaders’ attempts to sabotage Pakistan’s deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The development comes following PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s indictment in cases related to the May 9 riots and Imran Khan’s arrest in cases pertaining to the incidents taking place on the day.
Touching upon the foreign funding issue, the information minister said that the PTI failed to defend itself in the foreign funding case wherein, he claimed, the ex-ruling party received funds from Indian-born United States citizens.
“Why did you [PTI] seek a stay order [in said case] for six years?” he questioned, adding that the Khan-founded party had nothing to say in its defence.
Stressing that whoever provides financial support to a political party, does so with the hopes that the party would serve its interests if it comes to power, Tarar said that the PTI failed to explain and defend itself regarding the funds received by certain lobbies abroad, including Israeli ones.
Speaking about the time when the then-government decided to dissolve the assemblies during the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan, the minister said the ruling alliance has also decided to move a reference against the then-prime minister, then-president Arif Alvi and then National Assembly deputy speaker Qasim Suri.
He said that this reference, under Article 6, will be sent to the Supreme Court after the cabinet’s approval.
Lambasting the former ruling party, Tarar said that a perception has been made that the party is “untouchable” despite its leaders being involved in May 9 cases, iddat case or £190 million case.
“He [Khan] was the worst fascist leader. He inherited the pattern of putting mothers and sisters to jail,” said the PML-N leader.
The information minister, speaking about mending ties with the PTI, said that the government’s patience and tolerance were considered its weakness.
“No more,” said Tarar. “Enough is enough. They have played with the country’s fate too much,” he added.
“If this country’s economy is to prosper, if the people want to advance and if the youth wants jobs and if this country wants to stand with developed countries, then Pakistan and PTI cannot go along together,” Tarar asserted.
Speaking about the SC verdict which favoured the PTI and said it is eligible for the allocation of the reserved seats, Tarar said the PTI was not a party and its members did not say they are a part of it.
“Everyone submitted Sunni Ittehad Council’s affidavit but its manifesto says that no non-Muslim member can join the party, hence, they could not get a seat,” he highlighted.
Tarar said that the view is that the PTI was given the relief without even asking. “Keeping in view the legal loophole in this judgement, the government and its allies have decided to file a review petition,” he added.
Stressing that the review petition against the SC judgement is justified, the minister said that the women and minorities, who suffered injustices, believe that this review petition should be filed.
“We will ask whether the MNAs who got relief were present in the court, were their affidavit present and did they ask for that relief and should the Election Act 2017 section be nullified,” said Tarar.
