Pakistan’s Human Rights Commission Opposes Ban on Imran Khan’s PTI Party
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed strong disapproval of the government’s plan to ban Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The HRCP believes this move violates the constitutional right to freedom of association, as guaranteed under Article 17.
The HRCP points out that the Supreme Court has already recognized PTI as a political party, making the ban a significant setback for democratic norms. In a post on X, the HRCP stated, “Human Rights Commission of Pakistan is shocked by the government’s decision to ban the PTI. Not only is this move in flagrant violation of party members’ right to association under Article 17 of the Constitution, but it is also an enormous blow to democratic norms, especially when the Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that the PTI is a political party.”
The HRCP further added that the ban appears to be a desperate political move, especially since the Supreme Court’s ruling has made PTI the single largest party in the National Assembly by making it eligible for reserved seats for women and minorities. The HRCP demands that the government reverse its decision, warning that it will lead to more division, chaos, and violence, and sets a dangerous precedent for silencing political opposition.
“HRCP demands that this unconstitutional decision be withdrawn immediately. If pushed through, it will achieve nothing more than deeper polarization and the strong likelihood of political chaos and violence,” the HRCP said in a post on X.
The HRCP also reminded the government to prioritize relief for citizens facing a cost-of-living crisis, rising violence, crime, and militancy. The organization emphasized that the government needs the support of both its allies and rivals to address these issues effectively.
HRCP is an independent, nongovernmental organization committed to protecting human rights and democratic values.
