Regarding the ban on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said on Saturday that no decision has been made and that any decision would only be made after consulting with coalition partners.
Speaking to the media at Data Darbar in Lahore, Dar emphasized that the present economic difficulties were caused by past governments rather than being an invention of the current one.
“The financial downslide began with the removal of Nawaz Sharif, not during our tenure,” said Dar.
He said that within six to seven months of taking office, the PTI placed the economy on the verge of default and that they had rigged the 2018 elections to install their leader. He also criticized the PTI’s previous leadership for aggravating the nation’s financial instability.
Dar went on to describe the economic consequences, pointing out that Pakistan’s economic standing fell from 24th to 47th under the PTI’s rule.
“Pakistan would have defaulted if the PML-N had not intervened,” he asserted, commending Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his colleagues for preventing a financial catastrophe.
Regarding PTI’s purported foreign funding, Dar said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has hard proof that the party receives funds from outside. He also brought up the May 9th event, calling it unacceptable and saying those responsible should face consequences.
Regarding the possible prohibition of PTI, Dar said, “A decision has not yet been taken. Before making any political decisions, we will thoroughly engage with our leadership and coalition partners in accordance with the law and the constitution.”
