Amid the rising violence and political polarization in Pakistan in the recent past, the government has decided to punish Imran Khan’s political party for its transgressions.
Following the recent clashes which took place between PTI supporters and security forces in Imran Khan’s Zaman Park in Lahore and Islamabad, the Pakistani government has decided to punish the PTI for its wrongdoings.
While addressing a press conference in Lahore on March 18, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) PML-N’s vice president Maryam Nawaz asked the coalition government to treat Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf as a “terrorist organization” Dawn reported.
“The way the government deals with a banned organization, a terrorist organization, Imran Khan should be dealt with in the same way. Thinking of it (PTI) as a political party and dealing with it as a political party needs to end,” she said.
These remarks came as Imran Khan resisted his arrest in the Toshakhana case, and was held up inside his Zaman Park residence surrounded by hundreds of supporters, who fought with the police.
Zalmay Khalilzad, former U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation expressed his concern about the current political situation in Pakistan.
“The government appears to have decided to set up Imran Khan as enemy number one of the State. Such steps will only deepen Pakistan’s triple crises: political, economic, and security. Already, some countries have suspended planned investments”, Khalilzad said on Twitter.
Given the existing situation in Pakistan, political polarization and violence will increase, as the coalition government plans to punish TPI, one of the country’s largest political parties.
Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday said that the party would stage a power show at Minar-i-Pakistan — the same venue where he launched his campaign for the 2013 elections.
He added the rally would take place on Wednesday (March 22), and it would be a “referendum” on where the nation stood.
