Khawaja Asif, Pakistan's defense minister, said in a televised speech that the government is thinking about banning Imran Khan's political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). This further worsens tensions between the former prime minister and Pakistan's government and armed forces.
Asif, speaking on Wednesday, May 24, addressed the violence that broke out on May 9 when Khan was temporarily held by the country's graft agency and some protestors assaulted military offices and buildings.
"Whatever happened on May 9 wasn't spontaneous ... It was pre-planned, so in this background there are chances we consider to ban [the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party]," Asif stated. Nevertheless, he stressed that no decision has been made yet.
Banning Political Parties
Senator Syed Ali Zafar, one of Khan's attorneys, told reporters in Islamabad that the demonstrations on May 9 were deemed individual activities and that a party could not be outlawed on those grounds, Bloomberg reported. "If such a step is taken, I am sure this court will cancel it instantly."
This South Asian country has a history of taking such measures. There have been at least five outlawed political parties in the last several decades, according to Bloomberg's report.
In 1954, the Communist Party was banned for its alleged role in an attempted coup. Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) was the most current to be outlawed, in April 2021, on account of suspicions of ties to hostile states. Later the same year, Prime Minister Imran Khan reversed the decision.
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Violent Demonstrations
The government has been cracking down hard on Khan's party over the last several weeks. The opposition leader has taken a hit as some of its key figures have been arrested, and another two dozen have abandoned the party.
The highest-profile departure was Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari from Khan's government. She held a brief news conference earlier this week to announce her departure from the party and politics. She cited health and family concerns after being imprisoned many times in recent weeks.
In response to demonstrators damaging military property, the armed forces have threatened severe retaliation. Both the military and the administration have promised to bring those guilty to justice in accordance with military law.
Since Khan ramped up his campaign for early elections this year, more than 10,000 individuals, including PTI members, backers, and their families, have been detained in raids throughout the country. His stance put him at odds with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has argued that focusing on economic stability is more vital.
As a result of the biggest economic crisis in its history, Pakistan is on the verge of defaulting on its debt. Low currency reserves and rising inflation make negotiating an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a $6.7 billion bailout difficult.
