PTI ban not final, consultations under way: Dar

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has said that the decision to ban the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is not final yet and it will be done after consultation with political parties and allies.

Talking to the media in Lahore, Dar said that no decision will be political but it will be according to the constitution and law.

In response to a question, he said that the PTI as a party received foreign funding, including from Jews and Christians.

He claimed there is evidence that the PTI is a foreign-funded party.

“Legal aspects will be taken into consideration, and national security and stability should be prioritised. Whoever is against national security should be punished under the law and constitution,” he said.

He said that PML-N or the former PDM was not interested in accepting the government but if they had not accepted it, the country would have defaulted.

Dar said that the government is working day and night to make the country an economic force.

Sources said that the federal government has decided to ban the PTI and announced that an Article 6 case would be filed against former president Arif Alvi, PTI founder Imran Khan, and former deputy speaker Qasim Suri. After cabinet approval, this reference will be filed in the Supreme Court.

Dar said that prudent policies and reforms will help improve and strengthen economic conditions in the country.

He said under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan is now on the path of development.

He said inflation has decreased during the last four months and all economic indicators are positive.

He expressed confidence that Pakistan would soon emerge as economic power in region. Dar said Pakistan is strengthening its diplomatic relations with foreign countries.

Earlier, Information Minister Atta Tarar said that national defence came under attack on May 9 and the family of the PTI founder was involved in the incident.

He said that the three sisters of the PTI founder were present outside the Corps Commander House in Lahore on May 9.

He said that it was announced that a revolution was about to take place, and they should immediately reach their respective locations.

He said that the PTI founder promoted the politics of anarchy and violence, damaging the defence institutions. If the country is to develop, then Pakistan and the PTI cannot go together, he said.

He said that on the one hand, they were giving shelter to terrorists, claiming they would play a role in the integrity of the country, and on the other hand, they attacked the GHQ and Corps Commander House, doing away with the National Action Plan.