Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari opposes banning of PTI, urges party to forgo violence

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday said that he was not in favour of banning the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) despite the party attacking state facilities, adding that he would be the “last person” to endorse such a move.

Speaking at a press conference, the foreign minister — flanked by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and provincial information minister Sharjeel Memon — said: “I am not in favour of banning anyone. We must adopt a completely constitutional and legal procedure to ban PTI.”

However, he added that declaring PTI a proscribed outfit was the last resort.

While responding to a question on whether he considered banning PTI, the foreign minister responded: “A decision cannot be taken on television based on the video evidence that has come out so far.”

Moreover, Bilawal called for PTI workers to end their violent protests, adding that the party had done “what it had to do”.

“PTI should not cause more harm,” he said. “They should declare an end to violent protests and face the cases against them.”

Bilawal also expressed a desire to have an outcome that would create political stability in the country.