PPPP and PPP 'at odds' over govt's move to ban PTI

• PPP leaders' statements are personal opinions: Bokhari.
• Says PPP issues its position only via spokespersons.
• Leadership will give its opinion only after consultation.

ISLAMABAD: In a rather interesting turn of events, the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPP) distanced itself from the voices within the Bilawal Bhutto-led PPP, which had opposed Centre's decision to ban the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), The News reported on Wednesday.

PPPP Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bokhari has said that the PPP leaders opposing the federal government's move merely expressed their personal opinions and their remarks did not reflect the party's policy which he said will be issued after due consultations.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led government has announced to ban the former ruling party for its alleged involvement in the anti-state activities including May 9 events and the its attempts to sabotage Pakistan's deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The decision was revealed by Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, who while addressing a press conference on Monday, said that the PTI and Pakistan "cannot co-exist" and the matter to ban the party would go to the federal cabinet and the Supreme Court.

Several PPP stalwarts, including former senators Raza Rabbani and Farhatullah Babar, had expressed their concerns while opposing the government's arguably controversial move.

Rabbani had said that the talk of banning a political party is against all the norms of democracy and the government should refrain from taking such a step which will add to political chaos and bog down the economy.

Meanwhile, Babar dubbed banning a political party "absurd," saying: "It is also absurdity to talk about launching a treason case against a political leader."

The senior party leader said no case regarding treason or a ban on a political party can sustain itself, adding that these decisions would further deepen the political crisis. 

"Democracy and the state will not be able to last longer in a critical situation created by the government."

A day earlier, PPP's Information Secretary Shazia Atta Marri and Senator Sherry Rehman confirmed that the party wasn't taken into confidence by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led coalition government over its decision to ban the PTI.

However, in a statement issued on Tuesday, Bokhari — while only mentioning the name of Babar — said the PPP issues its position only through its spokesperson or relevant persons and the party leadership will give its opinion only after consultation.

"Babar's tweet is not party policy," he said.