**ISLAMABAD:** The federal government has escalated its actions against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) by deciding to ban the former ruling party and file treason references against PTI founder Imran Khan and former president Arif Alvi under Article 6.
“PTI and Pakistan cannot co-exist,” Tarar stated during a press conference in Islamabad, announcing that the issue will be brought before the federal cabinet and the Supreme Court.
These decisions were influenced by PTI’s involvement in the events of May 9 and the alleged attempts by its leaders to undermine Pakistan’s agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
This development follows the indictment of PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi in cases related to the May 9 riots and Khan’s arrest over incidents that occurred on that day.
Addressing the foreign funding issue, the information minister highlighted PTI’s inability to defend itself in the foreign funding case, accusing the party of receiving funds from Indian-born US citizens.
“Why did you [PTI] seek a stay order [in said case] for six years?” he questioned, suggesting that the PTI had no defense.
Tarar emphasized that those providing financial support to a political party do so expecting the party to serve their interests if it gains power. He accused PTI of failing to explain the foreign funds it received, including from Israeli sources.
Reflecting on the May 9 riots, which were triggered by Khan’s arrest in a graft case and saw party supporters vandalizing military installations, Tarar accused the PTI founder of prioritizing personal interests over national ones.
“Your whole family was involved in those attacks. Your three sisters were present outside the [Lahore] core commander’s house,” he claimed.
He also criticized the PTI government for allegedly providing safe havens to terrorists and resettling them.
“Who gave you the right to re-settle the Taliban […] and attack the institution responsible for guaranteeing the country’s sovereignty?” he asked.
**Treason Cases Against PTI Leaders**
Regarding the dissolution of assemblies during the no-confidence motion against Khan, Tarar announced plans to move a reference against the then-prime minister, then-president Arif Alvi, and then National Assembly deputy speaker Qasim Suri under Article 6, pending cabinet approval.
Discussing the cipher case, Tarar accused PTI of manipulating a diplomatic cable to create a false narrative. The cipher controversy involves Khan’s claim that US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Affairs, Donald Lu, sought his removal from office.
The same month, opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif tabled the no-confidence motion against Khan. The then-deputy speaker Suri dismissed the motion citing alleged US interference, leading to the dissolution of the lower house on Khan’s advice, which the Supreme Court later deemed unconstitutional.
Tarar criticized PTI for lobbying in Washington despite its anti-US narrative, accusing the party of damaging Pakistan’s international relations for its own interests.
**Reserved Seats Verdict Review Plea**
Regarding the Supreme Court verdict favoring PTI on the allocation of reserved seats, Tarar argued that PTI was not eligible, pointing out that Sunni Ittehad Council’s affidavit excludes non-Muslims from joining.
Tarar said the government and its allies will file a review petition, questioning whether the MNAs who received relief were present in court, if their affidavits were valid, and whether the Election Act 2017 section should be nullified.
The Supreme Court’s decision, which declared PTI eligible for reserved seats, has increased pressure on the coalition by changing the composition of the National Assembly, reinforcing the need for the review petition.
