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KARACHI: Former special US representative for Afghanistan, Iraq and the United Nations, Zalmay Khalilzad has warned of deepening crisis in Pakistan if the government goes ahead with its plan to declare PTI Chairman Imran Khan as its enemy number 1.
His statement came after reports that the federal government had convened joint session of the Parliament on Wednesday with aims and objectives of, as per media reports, banning the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for becoming terrorist outfit after its alleged involvement in attacking state institutions, including the army, the judiciary, and law-enforcement agencies.
Also read: Sheikh Rashid warns against pushing Imran Khan to wall
It may be mentioned here that for almost a week, government minister and ruling coalition partners have been peddling a narrative that ‘petrol bombs’ were used by PTI workers while thwarting Police assault on Zaman Park residence, and during Judicial Complex violence, and that the PTI was not a political party but a group of trained militants of banned organisations.
Taking to Twitter, Zalmay Khalilzad said that there are indications that Pakistan’s parliament, which is controlled by the governing coalition, might well ask the Supreme Court to disqualify Imran Khan from running for election and even ban PTI in the next few days.
He said “the (Pak) government appears to have decided to set up Imran Khan as Enemy No 1 of the State. Such steps will only deepen Pakistan’s triple crises: political, economic, and security. Already, some countries have suspended planned investments.”
He further said that the IMF support remained doubtful (as yet) and if the steps mentioned took place, international support for Pakistan would decline further with increase in political polarization and violence.
There are indications that Pakistan's parliament, which is controlled by the governing coalition, might well ask the Supreme Court to disqualify Imran Khan from running for election and even prohibit PTI in the next few days.
[Thread]— Zalmay Khalilzad (@realZalmayMK) March 21, 2023
Zalmay Khalilzad expressed hope that Pakistani political leaders would rise above “destructive petty politics” that undermined the national interest.
“If not, I hope the Supreme Court says no to being used in games that undermine the nation’s interests. I am becoming increasingly concerned about Pakistan,” he concluded.