Pakistan’s federal government has clarified that the emergency imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa applies to the entire province, rather than only 12 districts affected by terrorism. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar announced the position during a press conference on Tuesday.
He said authorities had introduced a separate support mechanism for the 12 districts facing heightened security challenges. Under this arrangement, a dedicated secretariat will coordinate assistance and additional measures.
Government Cites Rising Terrorism
Tarar said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had experienced a significant increase in terrorist incidents in recent years. He cited government figures showing 8,600 attacks between 2024 and 2026, compared with 2,900 recorded between 2020 and 2024.
The minister described the increase as a 195 per cent rise and stressed the need for closer coordination between federal and provincial security agencies. He argued that Pakistan needed a unified counterterrorism policy instead of separate approaches at different levels of government.
Ministers Criticise PTI-Led Provincial Government
During the briefing, Tarar criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led provincial government over its handling of security concerns. He alleged that the provincial administration had not responded adequately to repeated engagement by federal authorities. He also referred to attacks on police and security personnel, saying the government could not ignore the growing threat.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar claimed that residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had welcomed the federal government’s decision to impose emergency measures and governor’s rule. He said the move had given people hope for improved security.
However, these statements reflect the federal government’s position amid political disagreement over the decision.
Federal Government Defends Emergency Measures
The ministers rejected claims that the measures were designed to target the PTI-led provincial government politically. They maintained that the main objective was to coordinate counterterrorism efforts and improve public safety.
Azam Nazeer Tarar also referred to Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution while defending the government’s decision.
The emergency has intensified political tensions between the federal government and the PTI leadership. Questions over provincial authority, security policy and the implementation of the measures are likely to remain central to the debate.
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