The debate over banning PTI has taken a new turn. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Tuesday, on the private TV programme Capital Talk, that a ban on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf might no longer be necessary after the imposition of governor's rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, according to The Express Tribune.
He argued that the party had already lost its provincial government, which he attributed to its alleged support for terrorism, and that with PTI absent from parliament as a party and without an electoral symbol, a ban might not be required.
Decision in principle stands
Tarar added, however, that a decision in principle on the ban had already been taken and that a final decision would follow the completion of legal preparations, leaving the option open.
Background to governor's rule
Emergency and governor's rule were declared in K-P on October 11 after talks between the government and opposition failed and a PTI long march that began on October 4 headed for Islamabad. Last week, a joint sitting of parliament, amid opposition protests, adopted resolutions ratifying the presidential proclamations for two months.
Tarar said non-functional Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was in protective custody and that an advisory council would decide whether he should be arrested or a case registered against him. He described protective custody of key figures as a natural step after an emergency to prevent threats to law and order.
Blame for failed talks
The minister blamed Afridi and his associates for the collapse of negotiations, saying members of PTI's negotiating team were disappointed when Afridi rejected terms agreed with the government. He praised JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman's role in the talks but urged him not to politicise the province's security.
The Express Tribune report did not include an immediate PTI response to the allegations. The party has previously rejected accusations of supporting terrorism, and its petitions against the emergency and governor's rule are before the Peshawar High Court.