Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) Rana Muhammad Fayyaz on Friday submitted a resolution to the Punjab Assembly Secretariat seeking a ban on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The resolution calls for strong action against PTI, labeling it a “disruptive group” operating under the guise of a political party. It demands that those responsible for the events of November 24, 2024, be held accountable and brought to justice. The resolution accuses PTI of destabilizing the country and promoting an anarchist agenda.
This move comes amid growing calls to curtail PTI’s activities, especially following the recent violent protests in Islamabad and other parts of Pakistan. The resolution also follows a similar one passed in the Balochistan Assembly on Thursday, also initiated by the PML-N. The Balochistan resolution accused PTI of damaging key institutions such as the judiciary, media, and economy, and called for federal intervention to impose a ban on the party.
The resolution, backed by provincial ministers, also criticized PTI for allegedly orchestrating violent demonstrations, including attacks on public and military properties during the May 9, 2023, protests. It further condemned the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government for allegedly using state machinery to challenge federal authority, which it described as a “non-political agenda.”
In response, the opposition in the Balochistan Assembly staged a walkout, protesting against what they considered the mistreatment of PTI.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also weighed in on the issue, condemning PTI for its recent actions. During a high-level meeting on Thursday to review the law-and-order situation, the Prime Minister directed the establishment of professional anti-riot forces to prevent future unrest. He accused PTI of causing significant economic losses, stating, “Instead of taking the legal route, attempts were repeatedly made to spread chaos across the country by marching on Islamabad.”
The Prime Minister further instructed officials to devise strategies to prevent such incidents and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
PTI’s recent “do-or-die” protest in Islamabad resulted in widespread disruption before it was abruptly called off following a government crackdown. A total of 1,151 protesters were arrested, including 64 Afghan nationals. Authorities claimed to have seized weapons, ball bearings and spiked clubs from the arrested Afghans. However, PTI leader Salman Akram Raja claimed that 20 people had died during the protests, a claim that authorities have denied.
