Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Tuesday that no decision has been made regarding the ban on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, stating that any decision will only be taken after consultation with coalition partners.
Speaking to media at Data Darbar, Dar emphasised that the current economic challenges were not introduced by the incumbent government but were a consequence of previous administrations.
“The economic downslide began with the ousting of Nawaz Sharif, not during our tenure,” Dar asserted.
He criticised the PTI’s previous government for exacerbating the country’s financial instability, alleging that PTI left the economy on the brink of default within six to seven months of their rule and accused them of rigging the 2018 elections to place their leader in power. Further detailing the economic impact, Dar pointed out that during the PTI’s tenure, Pakistan’s economic ranking plummeted from 24th to 47th.
“Had the PML-N not stepped in, Pakistan would have defaulted,” he claimed, praising Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his team for averting a financial crisis.
On the topic of PTI’s alleged foreign funding, Dar stated that the Election Commission of Pakistan possesses concrete evidence that PTI is a foreign-funded party, and mentioned the May 9 incident, which he described as condemnable, stating that those involved should be duly punished.
As for the potential ban on PTI, Dar reiterated, “No decision has been made yet. We will consult our leadership and coalition partners thoroughly, following the law and constitution, before making any political decision.”
Dispelling the impression that anything bad would happen to Pakistan, he claimed that the country was again going to become a ‘financial hub’.
Dar said if PDM parties had not taken over after the ouster of the PTI
government in April 2022, the country would have gone bankrupt.
Dar said he was in favour of political reconciliation. “I have been doing this all my life.
“However, when it comes to the perpetrators of May 9 incidents of violence, there should be no mercy,” he stated categorically.
