- Says govt’s announcement to ban PTI even took ruling PML-N leaders by surprise
- Advisor PM asserts no harm in govt’s attempt to secure its position if it can constitutionally acquire seats
JHELUM/LAHORE: Former federal minister Fawad Ch on Thursday claimed that the government’s announcement to ban the PTI has even taken the ruling PML-N leaders by surprise amid Advisor to PM Rana Sanaullah’s insistence the government has the authority to ban any political party under Article 17 of the Constitution.
“Even PML-N leaders have been surprised by the announcement of banning the PTI,” Fawad Ch asserted while speaking to a private TV channel.
He declared that the country’s politics cannot move forward without the PTI founder, pointing out the government will have to state reasons to justify the ban on the Imran Khan-founded party.
On the other hand, Advisor PM on Political and Public Affair Rana Sanaullah explained that if the cabinet approves the declaration, it will be submitted to the Supreme Court within 15 days. “If the Supreme Court concurs with the declaration, the party in question will be banned”, he argued while speaking at a private TV program.
Sanaullah emphasized that the government has the same rights as the PTI, and it is within their constitutional rights to present their case and strive for success. He added that there is no harm in the government attempting to secure its position if it can constitutionally acquire seats.
Reply a question regarding the prevailing political environment, Fawad Ch said that the PML-N wished to finish the PTI and its founder. However, the former ruling party managed to secure majority in the election, he added.
“No one should forget the fact that the country’s politics cannot move forward without Imran Khan as majority of Pakistanis stand with the former prime minister”, he declared.
He, however, criticised the PTI’s strategy which, according to him, has not helped in releasing Khan from jail.
“My criticism is not on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leadership, but on strategy. PTI is a big party but the strategy adopted is not right,” he added.
Fawad Ch said that the PTI lacked political strategy and was only relying on lawyers.
The outspoken politician said that the former ruling party should have made alliance with parties who object the February 8 elections.
“The political strategy shows what you will do in future. The PTI should have talked to JUI-F, Jamat-e-Islami and GDA. Even if you don’t need to talk, at least give an agenda,” Ch added.
According to the former minister, the Imran Khan-founded party should have made an alliance with JUI-F to unit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on a single platform.
“JUI-F and PTI have street power to jointly hold protests. The two parties will be able to exert pressure for Imran Khan’s release from jail,” Fawad Chaudhry said.
It is pertinent to mention that the former minister had earlier asserted that he is still a member of the PTI. “Had I left the party, I would have been minister today on basis of the Forms 47,” Chaudhry said.
Criticizing the current leaders of the PTI, the former federal minister said that Shibli Faraz did not handle the party’s affairs and stay at his house for six months.
