- Khawaja Asif says, Govt considering banning PTI
ISLAMABAD: During a media interaction at the Parliament House, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif made a significant claim, stating that a potential ban on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is being considered. Asif criticized PTI Chairman Imran Khan for failing to condemn the events of May 9 unequivocally, noting that Khan had mentioned the possibility of a similar reaction if he were to be arrested again.
Asif further asserted that after the failed no-confidence motion, all of Imran Khan’s actions have boomeranged, and the PTI is struggling to bear the consequences of his misguided decisions. Referring to the attacks on the Corps Commander House, Asif alleged that those responsible had sinister motives and carried out the attacks as part of a secretive plan, although he refrained from disclosing further details.
Highlighting that civilian buildings, apart from Radio Pakistan, were not targeted during the events, Asif raised the possibility of a ban on the PTI. He emphasized that any decision in this regard would be taken collectively by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and that the parliament would be kept informed if a ban were to be implemented.
In order to preserve the respect and dignity of the Pakistan Army, Asif stressed the importance of taking necessary measures to prevent any exploitation of the armed forces for political gain. He criticized Imran Khan, referring to him as dishonest and disloyal, alleging that Khan had dragged the armed forces into his quest for power.
Drawing a comparison with the political situation under former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Asif highlighted that despite Sharif’s removal from power, no incidents similar to those of May 9 had occurred. Asif further claimed that Imran Khan’s actions had brought happiness to India, implying that they were perceived as beneficial to the neighboring country.
Regarding the possibility of banning political parties, Asif acknowledged that there were no legitimate reasons for such measures in the past. He assured that the government’s decisions would be made in the best interests of the country, with no undue international pressure influencing the process.
While Asif’s statements shed light on the discussions surrounding a potential ban on the PTI and his criticism of Imran Khan, the final outcome and implications of these deliberations remain uncertain. The government’s commitment to safeguarding the honour and integrity of the Pakistan Army reflects the importance of maintaining the institution’s neutrality and preventing its exploitation for political purposes.
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