LAHORE (MNN); The Punjab Assembly on Tuesday approved a resolution calling for a ban on jailed Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, declaring him and his party “anti-state”.
The move comes shortly after Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry criticised Imran Khan for promoting an “anti-army” narrative, saying such rhetoric had crossed political boundaries and now posed a “national security threat”.
Following the ISPR statement, a heated exchange erupted between the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the PTI. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif argued that Imran himself had used “harsh language” against opponents in the past, claiming the PTI had no grounds to object to the military spokesperson’s remarks. Meanwhile, the PTI strongly condemned what it called “absurd” comments against its founder, insisting Imran Khan was “not a security threat”.
The resolution was tabled by PML-N MPA Tahir Pervaiz and passed by the treasury benches, while PTI lawmakers boycotted the session.
According to the text of the resolution, “The institutions that defend Pakistan on all fronts and have successfully countered a much larger enemy, such as India, are essential to the nation’s security and cohesion.”
It added that a ban should be imposed on the PTI and its founder for allegedly serving as “tools of an enemy state”, making anti-state statements, and fomenting unrest.
The resolution also urged legal action against any individual—political or otherwise—acting against national interests, calling for “appropriate punishment” in each case. It further acknowledged the role of state institutions working for Pakistan’s defence and stability.
Earlier in 2024, the federal government had moved to ban the PTI and sought Article 6 proceedings against Imran Khan, former president Dr Arif Alvi, and ex-NA deputy speaker Qasim Suri, though the plan was later abandoned. In October, the government imposed a ban on Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) under the Anti-Terrorism Act following violent demonstrations.
