Two days after a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest march in Islamabad ended abruptly following a crackdown by security forces, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah Khan revealed that the federal cabinet had discussed imposing a ban. of on the former ruling party but without unanimous opinion.
The politician’s statement came after the Balochistan Assembly, through a resolution on Thursday, demanded a ban on the Imran Khan-led party following the recent “violence” at its November 26 protest march in the federal capital.
The resolution said the PTI, which is at loggerheads with the government, was responsible for the May 9 incidents – a reference to the violent protests that erupted last year following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. Attacks on public property including military establishments were witnessed. In many parts of the country.
“Again, this [the former ruling party] carrying out violent acts,” it 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.
While appearing on Geo News’ program ‘Capital Talk’ on Thursday, the Prime Minister’s adviser did not rule out the possibility of banning PTI.
In response to a question, he said that this matter (PTI ban) came before the federal cabinet yesterday, the cabinet members discussed the matter but no consensus could be reached.
“Opinions were divided on the matter. However, the members decided to deliberate further on the matter.”
The veteran politician said that the Balochistan Assembly has expressed its opinion on the proposed ban of PTI. It should be noted that the assembly approved the resolution to ban the former ruling party.
A similar resolution to ban PTI has been submitted in the Punjab Assembly Secretariat late on Thursday.
Speaking at the same event, senior PTI leader Rauf Hassan responded to ongoing speculation about a possible ban on the party, saying such a move was “not as easy as it seems”.
He further emphasized that if any action is initiated to impose a ban, the party will take legal action to contest the decision.
In response to another question, the PML-N leader addressed speculations about the implementation of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“There is an opinion that governor’s rule can be imposed in a PTI-ruled province, as the constitution provides a mechanism for that,” he asserted.
“However, the current situation does not warrant such a move,” he said as, according to him, there are political and constitutional challenges to Governor’s rule.
The former security czar stressed the importance of dialogue as the only viable solution. He said that there is no option other than negotiations.
Commenting on PTI’s “Do or Die” march in Islamabad, Rana Sanaullah said that these protesters were not coming for a peaceful demonstration as they were armed.
Meanwhile, the adviser to the Prime Minister also dismissed the FIR registered against journalist Matiullah Jan as fabricated. The IG of Islamabad is the complainant in this FIR and hence he is liable as the Islamabad police work under his command.
He said that this FIR should be dealt with on merit.