QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly passed a resolution calling for a ban on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) on Thursday, accusing the party of inciting violence and undermining the country’s stability.
The resolution, which came amid a walkout by opposition members, was presented jointly by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) members during a session held on Thursday evening.
The resolution cited PTI’s role in the May 9 riots and the recent attack on security forces in Islamabad on November 24 as evidence that the party has become an “anarchist group,” causing widespread unrest.
According to the text of the resolution, PTI’s actions have disrupted key national institutions, including the judiciary, media, and economy, with accusations of advancing an anti-state agenda.
Furthermore, the resolution criticised the political leadership of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) for allegedly using provincial resources to support actions against the federation, including passing a controversial resolution in the KP Assembly that targeted the security forces. PML-N and PPP members expressed strong disapproval, asserting that PTI’s rhetoric and activities were sowing division between the people and the armed forces.
In his address to the assembly, PML-N Minister for C&W Saleem Khosa highlighted that the resolution was not brought forward lightly but was a response to the actions of PTI, which he described as “enemies of the country.”
Khosa praised the sacrifices made by Pakistan’s security forces and reaffirmed the assembly’s commitment to stand by them. He urged that any political party aiming to gain power should do so through popular support, not through “manipulation and violence.”
“PTI’s actions have been nothing short of a betrayal to the nation,” Khosa stated. “The foundation of this country rests on the sacrifices of our security forces. If PTI failed to secure a public mandate, it is not the fault of the institutions.”
On the other hand, opposition leader MPA Nawab Aslam Raisani strongly opposed the resolution. He called for dialogue and negotiations, stressing that the use of force was not the solution. Raisani argued that PTI had received votes in elections and questioned the effectiveness of banning political parties, citing past failures. “What have we achieved by banning political parties in the past?” he asked.
Following Raisani’s remarks, members of the JUI-led opposition walked out of the session in protest. Despite the opposition’s absence, the resolution was passed by the remaining PPP and PML-N members, marking a deepening divide in the political future of the province.
The resolution now calls on the federal government to take immediate action against PTI to prevent further instability and chaos in the country. Supporters of the resolution believe that a ban on PTI would bring an end to the public suffering and restore order. However, the opposition’s walkout signals ongoing tensions between the ruling coalition and those critical of their approach to managing political dissent.
