In Pakistan, the PTI, the political party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, could be banned. An announcement by the Minister of Information on Monday, July 15, which comes after several legal victories by the former head of government, who has been locked up for corruption for nearly a year. Accusations from the government are piling up against Imran Khan and the banning of his party could further obscure his future.
3 min
Pakistani government to seek ban on detained former PM’s political party Imran Khanthe Minister of Information said on Monday, July 15, after a series of court decisions in favor of the former official. The government has decided to file a petition to ban the PTI » (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf), Attaullah Tarar told reporters in Islamabad, adding that the matter would be taken to the Supreme Court.
“ We believe there is credible evidence that PTI should be banned “, he added, referring to charges against Mr Khan that include leaking classified documents and inciting a riot. We will vigorously defend this case and spare no effort. “, he added.
The PTI ” will not tolerate “the government’s efforts to ban it,” a party spokesman told AFP. PTI has become stronger than before. We will face it “, added Raoof Hasan.
A campaign to prevent Imran Khan from regaining power
Imran Khan, who was prime minister from 2018 to 2022, has been embroiled in more than 200 legal cases since leaving power, a campaign he says is designed to prevent him from regaining it. He has been imprisoned since August 2023, ahead of elections in February in which he was barred from participating due to a corruption conviction.
Read alsoPakistan: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan sentenced for third time in a week
On Saturday, the court acquitted him of a seven-year prison sentence for illegal marriage under Islamic law, but he remains in prison on other charges. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Friday granted the PTI about 20 seats in parliament reserved for women and minorities, months after the disputed general elections in February.
In April, Imran Khan and his wife’s 14-year prison sentence for corruption was suspended by a Pakistani high court. In early June, he was also acquitted of a treason charge for which he had been sentenced to 10 years in prison at first instance.
Read alsoPakistan: Former PM Imran Khan acquitted on appeal of charges of leaking classified documents
Arbitrary detention
A panel of experts from theUN recently considered that the detention of the former Pakistani Prime Minister was arbitrary and contrary to international law, calling “ immediately ” upon his release. His detention ” has no legal basis and appears to have been intended to disqualify his candidacy for political office “, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention ruled in an opinion dated March 25, but made public only at the beginning of July. The appropriate solution would be to release Mr Khan immediately and provide him with enforceable compensation and other remedies, in accordance with international law. “, judged these experts.
Imran Khan, who came to power in 2018, was ousted in a no-confidence vote in April 2022 after losing the support of the all-powerful military, analysts said. He then launched an unprecedented campaign, defying the top brass who had once supported him, accusing them of involvement in the assassination attempt in which he was injured during a rally in November 2022.
Read alsoFormer Pakistani PM Imran Khan injured in assassination attempt