Editorial
The Punjab Assembly’s resolution calling for a ban on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its founder Imran Khan represents a dangerous and undemocratic escalation in Pakistan’s politics. By attempting to sideline one of the country’s most popular political forces, the move not only undermines the will of millions of voters but also erodes public trust in democratic institutions. Political parties exist to channel citizen voices into governance, and their exclusion for political convenience signals a shift towards authoritarianism that Pakistan’s democratic system cannot afford.
Historically, attempts to ban or sideline political parties have never yielded stability. Legislation such as the Public and Representative Offices (Disqualification) Act under Liaquat Ali Khan, the Elective Bodies Disqualification Order under Ayub Khan, and the actions of military regimes under Zia-ul-Haq and Pervez Musharraf created decades of political turmoil. Parties faced exile, persecution, and mass disqualifications, yet they returned to power through electoral legitimacy. This demonstrates that public support cannot be permanently suppressed by state mechanisms, and attempts to do so only deepen political instability.
The argument that PTI or its leader constitutes a threat to national security must be carefully weighed against democratic principles. Legitimate political competition is not a crime, and the state’s role should be limited to addressing violence or illegal activity. Governance failures, not political rivalry, must remain the primary grounds for accountability. Excluding a party that won significant public support in past elections is short-sighted and undermines the credibility of the ruling coalition, which risks being seen as acting out of partisan interest rather than national interest.
Pakistan’s democratic resilience depends on tolerance, political competition, and respect for the electorate’s voice. Strong political parties strengthen governance, ensure accountability, and allow citizens to participate meaningfully in public life. Suppressing political forces for temporary advantage compromises democratic culture, encourages polarization, and weakens national cohesion. The people, through the ballot, must always remain the ultimate arbiters of political legitimacy. History proves that authoritarian bans fail, and true democratic stability can only emerge when all political parties are allowed to operate freely within constitutional boundaries.
<a href=”http://republicpolicy.com”>Follow republicpolicy.com</a>
