Islamabad: Pakistan is considering banning former prime minister imran khan party To attack the state, the defense minister said on Wednesday, the decision is likely to anger his supporters and intensify his clash with the military establishment.
The former cricket star is embroiled in the latest, crucial phase of a decades-old rivalry between civilian politicians and the powerful military, which has either directed or supervised governments throughout Pakistan’s history.
The face-off has sparked widespread protests by Khan’s supporters, raising fresh fears about the stability of the nuclear-armed country as it grapples with its worst economic crisis in decades.
Defense Minister Khwaja Asif told reporters that Khan Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) The party had attacked the “basic foundation of the state”, which could not be tolerated.
“Banning PTI is being considered,” he added.
The minister referred to the protesting supporters of Khan who this month attacked military installations including the army headquarters and government buildings.
Khan or PTI spokesperson were not immediately available for comment.
Khan became prime minister in 2018 with the military’s tacit support, though both sides denied it at the time. The army with its conservative, nationalist agenda saw Khan as a prospect to ensure the protection of its interests.
But Khan later fell out with the generals after what was seen as trying to interfere with key promotions in the security sector, and he was removed as prime minister in 2022 after losing a vote of confidence.
Khan, 70, has since campaigned for a snap general election, rallying supporters across the country, but his replacement, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, has rejected calls for an election ahead of elections due later this year. Is.
Khan is also facing corruption charges that he has dismissed as being cooked up to oust him from politics.
Khan was detained on 9 May in connection with the allegations, following protests by his supporters and his attacks on military facilities.
Khan was later released on bail.
Investigators of the anti-corruption agency questioned him for about three hours on Tuesday.
The former cricket star is embroiled in the latest, crucial phase of a decades-old rivalry between civilian politicians and the powerful military, which has either directed or supervised governments throughout Pakistan’s history.
The face-off has sparked widespread protests by Khan’s supporters, raising fresh fears about the stability of the nuclear-armed country as it grapples with its worst economic crisis in decades.
Defense Minister Khwaja Asif told reporters that Khan Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) The party had attacked the “basic foundation of the state”, which could not be tolerated.
“Banning PTI is being considered,” he added.
The minister referred to the protesting supporters of Khan who this month attacked military installations including the army headquarters and government buildings.
Khan or PTI spokesperson were not immediately available for comment.
Khan became prime minister in 2018 with the military’s tacit support, though both sides denied it at the time. The army with its conservative, nationalist agenda saw Khan as a prospect to ensure the protection of its interests.
But Khan later fell out with the generals after what was seen as trying to interfere with key promotions in the security sector, and he was removed as prime minister in 2022 after losing a vote of confidence.
Khan, 70, has since campaigned for a snap general election, rallying supporters across the country, but his replacement, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, has rejected calls for an election ahead of elections due later this year. Is.
Khan is also facing corruption charges that he has dismissed as being cooked up to oust him from politics.
Khan was detained on 9 May in connection with the allegations, following protests by his supporters and his attacks on military facilities.
Khan was later released on bail.
Investigators of the anti-corruption agency questioned him for about three hours on Tuesday.