The federal government’s decision to ban the PTI has drawn widespread criticism from various political parties and stakeholders, who have deemed the move undemocratic and potentially far-reaching in its consequences.
Criticism came not only from PTI but also from leaders of the PPP, Awami National Party, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, and Jamaat-i-Islami. In a press conference, PTI leaders condemned the ban, attributing it to the government’s embarrassment following a Supreme Court decision that restored reserved seats to PTI, making it the largest party in the lower house of parliament.
Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub Khan, accompanied by party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and other leaders, asserted that the government’s tactics of coercion and intimidation would not scare the PTI or the people. They vowed to continue their struggle against what they termed destructive and anarchic elements.
The PPP distanced itself from the ban, with senior leader Khursheed Shah stating that the decision was made without consulting PPP leadership. Former PPP senator Mian Raza Rabbani criticized the move as undemocratic and urged the government to pursue constitutional avenues like filing a review petition. He warned that such a step would exacerbate political chaos and economic instability.
PPP’s Farhatullah Babar also condemned the decision, calling it unsustainable and harmful to Pakistan’s democracy. He warned that the state might not withstand this self-imposed crisis.
Former PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, now heading Awaam Pakistan, criticized the ruling coalition for misunderstanding the Constitution. He cautioned that invoking Article 6 could backfire, leading to sedition charges against the government itself and urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to reconsider the move.
ANP leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain labeled the ban as ‘childish,’ stating that parties cannot be eliminated through such measures. JUI-F leader Hafiz Hamdullah questioned whether the decision would bring political and economic stability, while Jamaat-i-Islami asserted that such decisions would not hold up in court.
HRCP Chairperson Asad Iqbal Butt expressed shock at the ban, calling it a violation of the right to association under Article 17 of the Constitution and a blow to democratic norms, especially following the Supreme Court’s ruling favoring PTI.
The US State Department also reacted, with spokesperson Matthew Miller stating that while Washington opposes such restrictions, it recognized the ban on PTI as part of a complex political process. He emphasized the importance of upholding constitutional and democratic principles, human rights, and freedom of expression, and pledged to monitor the situation closely.
