Following allegations of violence by the ruling alliance and the opposition PTI during protests in Islamabad last month, Punjab Industries and Commerce Minister Chaudhry Shafi Hussain has spoken out against banning the opposition party.
Talking to the media on Wednesday, Hussain said that PTI is a political party and should not be banned.
Hussain’s party is an ally of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) at the center and the PML-N-led governments in Punjab.
The provincial minister also insisted on negotiating with Imran’s party.
In the same breath, he also demanded accountability for the rioters who desecrated martyrs’ memorials during the May 9 protests last year – the violent protests that followed the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan in a corruption case. Reference to
The PML-Q leader also criticized the PTI’s nine-year rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying that “not a single hospital has been built” in the province and urged Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to “stop the protests”. Instead focus on the growth and development of the province.”
The provincial also touched on speculations of governor’s rule in KP, saying: “In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, only governor’s rule is being talked about.”
Violence during the PTI’s “Do or Die” protest in Islamabad fueled speculation that the government was considering tougher measures, including banning the opposition party.
Adviser to Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah had confirmed that the issue of banning PTI was discussed in the federal cabinet meeting. However, no consensus could be reached.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif also made it clear that there is no intention to impose governor’s rule in central KP where the PTI-led government is in power.
Similarly, the Balochistan Assembly passed a resolution to ban the party led by Imran Khan after the death of four law enforcement officials including three Rangers personnel and police personnel in the protest.
“Again, this [the former ruling party] carrying out violent acts,” the resolution said, adding that the PTI’s “anarchist agenda” has affected every sector of the country’s system and judiciary, including the media and the economy.
A much-publicized protest by the former ruling party in Islamabad, aimed at securing the release of PTI founder Imran Khan, who has been behind bars for more than a year, came after the government’s midnight crackdown on protesters. The crackdown resulted in PTI’s hasty retreat.
The party founded by Imran Khan has since claimed that at least 12 of its workers have been killed and 1,000 arrested.
However, the government has categorically denied using live ammunition against the protesters and has said that four law enforcement officers were martyred during the protests.