• Warns PTI over ‘vicious campaign’ targeting army chief
• Denounces TTP attacks, condemns Israel’s human rights abuses
• Law minister claims govt has ‘adequate evidence’ to support PTI ban

ISLAMABAD: Despite the government’s claim that the federal cabinet did not discuss a proposed ban on the PTI, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned the party on Wednesday that no “vicious campaign” against the country and the army chief will be tolerated.

Addressing a federal cabinet meeting, the prime minister called for national unity to safeguard the national interest and emphasised: “We will not tolerate any actions against the country, its innocent people and armed forces.”

PM Shehbaz criticised the PTI for allegedly running a malicious campaign against Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir on its official website, regretting that the “perpetrators” of the May 9 riots had resorted to new tactics to malign the country and its armed forces.

Following the cabinet meeting, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said in a statement that the issue of banning PTI was not discussed. However, he noted that the government was seriously considering the move. “The federal government has adequate evidence in support of banning the party,” he added.

On Tuesday, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar asserted that the government had decided in principle to ban PTI for “engaging in anti-state activities”.

TTP attacks

During the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, the prime minister also denounced the cross-border attacks carried out by the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) using Afghan soil, describing them as “unacceptable”. He stressed that Pakistan is prepared to defend its citizens but seeks to resolve the matter peacefully.

He highlighted a surge in terrorist incidents, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochis­tan, which have resulted in the deaths of army, police and civil armed forces personnel.

The premier called the terrorism wave a machination against Pak­istan, stressing that it coincided with the coalition government’s efforts towards national development, including a staff-level agreement with the IMF and a relief package for domestic power consumers.

Mr Sharif also discussed Pakistan’s ongoing dialogue with Afghanistan, noting that Defence Minister Khawaja Asif recently visited the neighbouring country.

However, he expressed disappointment over the attacks, stating: “We hosted millions of Afghan refugees without complaint, treating them like brothers and never considering them a burden. Yet, we are repaid with TTP attacks on our citizens to mar the country’s peace and business. This is unacceptable.”

The PM said Pakistan was ready to confront any threats and praised the sacrifices of the armed forces. He condemned Israel’s unprecedented human rights abuses aga­inst Palestinians, highlighting the deaths of around 40,000 Palestinians despite international resolutions and court decisions.

He also drew the world’s attention to the attacks on Pakistan’s missions in Germany and London. He said the FO had timely taken up the matter and the envoys of the countries concerned should be given demarches to ensure the protection of Pakistan’s missions.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2024