Tarar says PTI ban may not be necessary if governor’s rule is imposed in K-P

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has said banning the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) may no longer be necessary following the imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

He alleged that the party had already lost its provincial government due to its support for terrorism.

Speaking on a television programme, Tarar said the decision to ban PTI had been taken in principle, but a final decision would be made after legal preparations were completed.

However, he argued that the party’s absence from parliament and lack of an electoral symbol had reduced the need for such a move.

The minister said former K-P chief minister Sohail Afridi was in protective custody following the imposition of governor’s rule. He added that an advisory council would decide whether Afridi should be arrested or a case registered against him, citing concerns about potential sabotage and law-and-order threats.

Tarar criticised PTI’s performance in the province, alleging that its government had failed to deliver development projects and improve infrastructure.

He also accused the party of facilitating the return of militants, claiming that terrorism had been brought under control after 2017 through the implementation of the National Action Plan.

The minister said negotiations between the government and opposition had collapsed after Afridi rejected the terms of an agreement reached by the negotiating teams.

He also praised Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for his role in the talks but urged him to keep politics separate from security matters.

Tarar called on all political parties to unite against terrorism, acknowledging JUI-F’s sacrifices in the fight against militancy. He stressed that protecting citizens and eliminating terrorism should remain the priority.