Key facts
- Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari imposed a state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
- The province is ruled by the party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
- The emergency measure effectively suspends the provincial government.
- High-level meetings were held to discuss extraordinary constitutional measures, including the possible imposition of Governor's Rule.
- The decision was reportedly influenced by security concerns and the worsening law and order situation in the province.
Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari has imposed a state of emergency in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which is governed by the party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The move effectively suspends the provincial government.
The decision followed high-level discussions involving President Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and senior military officials to consider "extraordinary constitutional measures" due to security concerns. Reports indicated that proposals included imposing emergency rule in 12 districts, particularly those in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), or granting the federal government key powers in the province. These discussions reportedly examined Articles 232 to 234 of Pakistan's Constitution.
The possibility of emergency or Governor's Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has intensified amid tensions between the federal government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial administration. KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi supported considering emergency measures, citing security concerns. However, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi rejected the idea, calling the governor's stance unconstitutional and challenging the federal government's counterterrorism approach. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan also warned that such measures could exacerbate political tensions and stated the party would pursue political and legal options against any unconstitutional moves. The dispute has been fueled by disagreements over security operations, access to Imran Khan, and his medical treatment, as well as PTI's ongoing long march demanding Khan's release.