Pakistan's Federal Cabinet Deliberates Ban on PTI Amid Political Turmoil

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convenes a federal cabinet meeting to discuss the potential ban on PTI. Legal actions under Article 6 against key figures, including Imran Khan, are considered, amid political dispute and resolutions from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly opposing the ban.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has convened a federal cabinet meeting today to deliberate on the potential ban on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), The Express Tribune reported. The cabinet aims to seek approval for the ban and discuss Pakistan's current political climate, sources told The Express Tribune.

Recently, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ataullah Tarar disclosed that the government plans to impose a ban on PTI. Addressing a press conference, Tarar announced legal actions under Article 6 of the Constitution against former President Arif Alvi, PTI founder Imran Khan, and Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri, according to The Express Tribune.

Tarar emphasized that cabinet approval would lead to a case brought before the apex court, considering measures like blocking passports and identity cards, and passing a parliamentary resolution—all within constitutional and legal boundaries. Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, passed resolutions against a possible PTI ban and called for the release of Imran Khan, citing a UN Human Rights Committee report. Despite the Supreme Court's recognition of PTI as Pakistan's largest party, the federal cabinet is reportedly formulating a narrative to ban PTI. The PTI has vowed to challenge any such ban judicially and publicly.

(With inputs from agencies.)