Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Senator Rana Sanaullah has signalled the possibility of a ban on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), saying Imran Khan’s recent tweet has been widely read and could serve as grounds for prohibiting the party.
He added that a treason case against the PTI founder cannot be ruled out.
Speaking on a private TV programme, the senior PML-N leader said the government never had any political dialogue open with Imran Khan, adding that the former prime minister “was never truly part of mainstream politics.”
He said PTI is “rapidly moving towards its end,” and that major decisions have already been taken following Khan’s tweet and the statements made by his sisters.
Rana Sanaullah emphasised that the Director General Inter-Services Public Relations had delivered a clear and deliberate message.
“Every word was well-considered. PTI leaders should not confuse it with a political statement. If they take this warning lightly, they will face consequences,” he said, accusing some PTI leaders of “speaking in the language of Indian media.”
The adviser said several PTI members were promoting hatred and campaigning against state institutions and their leadership.
“If they cross the line against the army or the army chief, it will not be tolerated. People are ready to lay down their lives on the army chief’s command,” he added.
Commenting on the recent Jaffer Express hostage incident, Rana Sanaullah claimed the abductors had direct links with Afghanistan, which in turn had communication with India.
He alleged that the terrorists’ narrative was amplified simultaneously by Indian, Afghan and PTI circles, saying this raised suspicions of possible connections that “continued to prove true.”
When asked whether a treason charge could be brought against Imran Khan, he replied, “Unfortunately, this is a reality. The possibility of a treason case cannot be ruled out.”
The adviser reiterated that a PTI ban is under consideration. “If a party cannot be banned over this tweet, then what else could justify a ban?” he said, predicting that the PTI may soon split into “Pakistan Tehreek-e-Adiala and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf,” drawing parallels with the downfall of Altaf Hussain and MQM London.
