Punjab Cabinet Approves Legal Action Against Imran Khan and PTI Leaders

Punjab Cabinet Approves Legal Action Against Imran Khan and PTI Leaders/Reuters

Dil Bar Irshad | May 25, 2024 | 08:54 AM IST | Pakistan News, Politics, World | Follow on Google News

Punjab Cabinet Approves Legal Action Against Imran Khan and PTI Leaders

Punjab Cabinet Approves Legal Action Against Imran Khan and PTI Leaders

Key Highlights:

1. Punjab cabinet approved legal action against Imran Khan and PTI leaders for allegedly spreading a hateful narrative against state institutions.
2. Inquiry report claims PTI spread propaganda and incited hatred.
3. Capital Development Authority demolished a portion of PTI’s central secretariat for building rule violations.

Islamabad [Pakistan], May 25: The Punjab cabinet has approved taking legal action against former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders for building a “hateful narrative against the state institutions,” according to a report by Pakistan-based Dawn. This decision was made during a Punjab cabinet meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, as per a provincial government statement.

At a press conference in Lahore, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari stated that the home department’s inquiry report revealed that PTI members were “spreading mischief inside and outside the (Adiala) jail.” Bokhari accused PTI of spreading propaganda, including false claims that Imran Khan was not allowed to meet anyone, and asserted that the party was engaging in organized efforts to incite hatred and destabilize the country.

Bokhari announced that a complaint would be registered based on the home ministry’s report. She criticized PTI for allegedly having an agenda to spread incitement and hatred against state institutions, rather than focusing on the country’s benefit.

In a related issue, last week, the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly criticized Pakistan’s military establishment for its alleged political role. He indirectly called for the trial of the director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) under Article 6, following a “political press conference” by ISPR Director General Major General Ahmed Sharif, who had stated that any talks with PTI could only occur if the party publicly apologized to the nation.

Furthermore, on Thursday, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) demolished a portion of PTI’s central secretariat in Islamabad for violating building rules, according to Geo News. The CDA’s anti-encroachment team removed illegal constructions, citing that the additional floor built on the plot violated building regulations. Despite the CDA claiming it had issued notices to PTI, the party’s chairman, Barrister Gohar Khan, denied receiving any such orders and criticized the operation as illegal and unjust.

Khan stated that CDA officials were asked to provide documents regarding the operation but failed to produce them. He mentioned that PTI would have removed any encroachments if notified earlier.

(Imputs from Dawn)

Dil Bar Irshad

Dil Bar Irshad is a seasoned journalist, hails from Jammu Kashmir's Doda, covers political, social, business stories, index stories.