Awami National Party (ANP) has opposed banning Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) amid statements by the members of the ruling coalition government that they are considering banning the party for violent protests on May 9 following the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had said that the government is considering banning the PTI for attacking the “very basis of state”, while referring to the PTI protestors’ attack on army installations across the country on May 9. The military and civil leaders have also decided to hold trials of civilians involved in the May 9 attacks in military court.
ANP Secretary General Mian Iftikhar Hussian along with ANP’s Provincial President Asghar Khan Achakzai and Central Joint Secretary Rasheed Nasar held a press conference and said they were against banning any political party in the country. However, they blamed the PTI chief for the current political crisis in the country, as well as the resurgence of terrorism.
The ANP leaders said the PTI chief should be held accountable for his actions, while adding that the PTI does not believe in political solutions.
Blaming former prime minister Imran Khan for the political crisis in the country, the ANP leaders said that Khan was ousted from the Prime Minister’s Office through a vote of no confidence by parliament. However, he started blaming the US government and the ruling coalition government for his ouster, destabilising the country.
They also held Khan responsible for implementing policies that have led to rise in terrorism in the country, Dawn reported.
 has opposed banning Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) amid statements by the members of the ruling coalition government that they are considering banning the party for violent protests on May 9 following the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan. ){kind=link}