President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday approved the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, placing the province under federal control.
The decision followed a federal cabinet meeting chaired by the prime minister to review the province’s deteriorating security situation. The President’s Secretariat confirmed that the summary had been signed under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution.
The federal government accused the provincial administration of failing to cooperate adequately in efforts to combat terrorism. It argued that the security situation required stronger intervention to address the growing threat of militant violence.
Federal Government Takes Control Of Provincial Administration
The approval places the province under the authority of the governor, who represents the federal government. The move follows weeks of political tension between Islamabad and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial administration over security policy.
Federal officials have criticised the provincial government’s approach to counterterrorism, while the KP administration has maintained that it should have a meaningful role in decisions affecting the province’s security.
The decision came after a meeting between President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz on Saturday. Both leaders discussed the country’s political and security situation, with particular attention to conditions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
PTI Protest March Adds To Political Tensions
The emergency measures were announced as a PTI protest march headed towards Islamabad, with supporters demanding the release of former prime minister and party founder Imran Khan, who remains imprisoned.
The federal government had repeatedly urged PTI to reconsider its protest plans, citing security concerns and rising militant attacks in the northwest. However, the party continued its campaign amid an ongoing dispute with the Centre.
The latest decision is expected to deepen tensions between the federal government and PTI. The provincial administration had opposed emergency rule, arguing that security decisions should involve provincial authorities.
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