Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday said that he was not in favour of banning the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) despite the party attacking state facilities, adding that he would be the “last person” to endorse such a move.
Speaking at a press conference, the foreign minister — flanked by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and provincial information minister Sharjeel Memon — said: “I am not in favour of banning anyone. We must adopt a completely constitutional and legal procedure to ban PTI.”
However, he added that declaring PTI a proscribed outfit was the last resort.
While responding to a question on whether he considered banning PTI, the foreign minister responded: “A decision cannot be taken on television based on the video evidence that has come out so far.”
Moreover, Bilawal called for PTI workers to end their violent protests, adding that the party had done “what it had to do”.
“PTI should not cause more harm,” he said. “They should declare an end to violent protests and face the cases against them.”
Bialwal also expressed a desire to have an outcome that would create political stability in the country.
Earlier during the conference the PPP leader said that May 9 — the day when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan was arrested from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) — was “another Black Day” in the history the country.
“The history of Pakistan several days are marked as the ‘Black Days’ and now May 9 has been added to the list.”
Violent protests erupted in Pakistan on Tuesday with dozens injured across several cities and demonstrators attacking military buildings after Khan was arrested.
Not in favour of banning any political party: Bilawal Bhutto
