Cabinet defers decision to ban PTI, invoke Article 6 against Imran and Alvi

Islamabad: The federal cabinet once again deferred the decision to ban the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

This was announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday while addressing the participants in the meeting.

Chairing a meeting of the federal cabinet in Islamabad today, he regretted the propaganda campaign unleashed by PTI against the armed forces of Pakistan, which he said, will not be tolerated at all.

He emphasized the need to unite against such malicious campaigns, stressing that our armed forces have made immense sacrifices in the fight against terrorism to ensure peace and stability in the country. 

Voicing serious concerns over the recent surge in terror acts especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Prime Minister said this is being done under an organized conspiracy. Referring to the involvement of TTP in terror attacks, he said the terror emanating from a neighbouring country is not acceptable at all. He said Pakistan is ready to protect its citizens. He, however, said Pakistan wants to address this issue through negotiations and peaceful means. He said contacts in this regard are being made directly and indirectly. 

The prime minister mentioned the Palestine situation and said the Israeli forces had killed more than 40,000 people. The United Nations adopted resolutions for ceasefire and the International Court of Justice had condemned the genocide but the Israeli government paid no heed to voices against it.

The Prime Minister said the government is undertaking efforts to ensure ease of business in the country.

Citing a recent meeting amongst different ministries, he said they have agreed to a liberal visa regime to promote investment and tourism including religious tourism in the country. He said the visa regime will be presented in the cabinet for the approval.

Sharing details of the new visa regime, the Prime Minister said it envisages major changes, including providing free visas to businessmen and tourists from one hundred and twenty-six countries. He was confident that the policy would open Pakistan's corridors for tourists and business community. He said the visa will also be provided in twenty-four hours through electronic travel authorization form.

The Prime Minister said e-gates will also be established at nine airports and Gwadar port. He said these e-gates will be established in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad airports in the first phase.

The Prime Minister once again strongly condemned Israeli atrocities against innocent Palestinians. He said despite repeated international calls for halt in genocidal actions in Gaza, Israel continues its persecution campaign.