The federal government’s announcement to ban Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has not been well-received by its key ally, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), which has distanced itself from the controversial move.
PPP’s Information Secretary, Shazia Atta Marri, stated that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s party, a crucial ally of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led government at the center, was not consulted on the decision to ban the party founded by Imran Khan.
Expounding on PPP’s position, Marri mentioned that the party would conduct consultations regarding the government’s decision to ban PTI.
Speaking to a news channel, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman confirmed Marri’s remarks, noting that the party was unaware that the government would take such a step.
Responding to a question about their alliance with PML-N, Rehman acknowledged that the government’s move should not have come as a surprise since they are allies.
“We have also worked with allies before, where every step is taken with careful due consideration regarding its repercussions. I have no idea on what level this whole issue was discussed by the government,” she said.
When asked whether banning PTI would achieve anything, Rehman responded negatively, stating: “My personal opinion is that this won’t achieve anything […] Even though PPP was subjected to various tactics in the past, it still stands strong today.”
“I believe that you can’t stop anything or anyone through bans or censorship; there are other ways to make someone mend their ways,” the PPP leader concluded.
