The ruling coalition has decided to take action against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in view of the available evidence, which substantiates the claim that it was not a “political party but a gang of miscreants trained by proscribed organisations”.

“Attacks on officers and personnel of state institutions by violently trained gangs of banned organisations are very alarming,” said the statement issued after the six-hour meeting of the ruling coalition.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presided over the meeting. A joint session of Parliament has been summoned on Wednesday (tomorrow) where “important decisions” would be taken to ensure state compliance. Later at night, the NA Secretariat issued a statement saying that a joint sitting had been summoned to meet on March 22.

The decision was taken against the backdrop of the clashes between the riot police and supporters of the PTI when the former raided Imran Khan’s residence at Zaman Park on Sunday. The operation was conducted after Khan left for Islamabad to appear in court in Toshakhana–state gifts–case.

Before Monday’s high-level meeting, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah had hinted at consulting its legal team for the assessment of initiating the process to declare the Khan-led party a “proscribed organisation”.

He substantiated his claims by alleging that terrorists were hiding in Zaman Park. And, weapons, petrol bombs, etc were recovered from the residence of Imran Khan which was enough evidence to file a reference against the PTI for being a militant organisation, he said on Sunday.

Participants of the meeting “strongly condemned” the attacks on security forces and expressed concerns over the attacks by the gang allegedly trained by banned organisations on the members of state institutions and personnel of law enforcement agencies.

“This is state hostility which cannot be tolerated. All evidence and proofs are available, under which stern action will be taken against those involved in the unrest,” it said.

The huddle also condemned the campaign against the army chief on social media and in foreign countries. Overseas Pakistanis should not become part of the “sinister agenda”, participants have called for.

Earlier, in the day, PM Shehbaz slammed the PTI for the “smear” campaign. He was of the view that Khan deserved the strongest condemnation for such an act.

Such reports came after the former prime minister’s interview with the Voice of America in which he accused the incumbent army chief of supporting the PDM government. He had described him as “one man” who heads the establishment.

Moreover, the statement said legal action will be taken against elements running campaigns abroad against Lasbela martyrs. “This behaviour is not acceptable in any society. This is not freedom of expression.”

In reaction to the court cases against Khan, it said that the impression that Imran Khan and his followers were being given “special treatment” was getting stronger. The statement noted that “two standards of justice” will not be accepted.

They also expressed concern over a recent audio tape of ex-chief justice Saqib Nisar and PTI lawyer Khawaja Tariq Rahim and condemned “objectionable” remarks about PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz.

“The PTI is not acting like a political party, rather resembled a gang of miscreants trained by outlawed groups,” it said and stated that violence by its workers against security personnel would not be tolerated.

‘Ridiculous press release’

The PTI has described the statement as “ridiculous”

“An attempt is being made to violate the rights of the people by calling a joint session of the dummy Parliament,” PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said in a Twitter thread. “A group has been imposed in the country by abolishing the Constitution.”

He alleged that the ruling coalition has no value among the masses.

Fawad claimed that over 500 members of PTI have been detained over the past two days. “The people’s patience is running out against these oppressors,” he said and warned the government of a “final push” if his party was banned.

“If you try to apply it, there will be a reaction that you cannot imagine,” he said.