PLANS to ban the party of former prime minister Imran Khan, who is in prison on charges of illegally receiving funds from abroad and involvement in nationwide riots, were announced today by Pakistan’s government.

The decision is likely to significantly deepen political turmoil as Mr Khan, the main rival of current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, remains a popular figure despite his convictions in a series of cases that he says are politically motivated.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar claimed that the government had “credible evidence” against Mr Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.