Pakistan's president declared a state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, suspending the provincial government led by Imran Khan's party. Authorities cite security failures, while the opposition alleges a political coup.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari declared a state of emergency and suspended the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday, the president’s office said. The move follows allegations that the administration led by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party failed to tackle Islamist militancy in the northwestern province bordering Afghanistan.
The federal government and the military have accused Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of failing to curb militants. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that the situation was "so grave that you wouldn't see any residents coming out of their houses after evening in some of the districts." The interior ministry announced it would deploy troops in the province, which has suffered an increasing number of militant attacks in recent months.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar confirmed at a news conference that the provincial governor would take charge with an advisory council. He stated the arrangement would initially be in place for six months. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told the Cabinet that security forces and citizens had been under attack for the last two years, adding, "We can't just act a silent spectator."
The PTI has rejected the federal government's accusations, stating that the central government failed to provide the funding and equipment needed to combat militancy. PTI chairman Gohar Ali Khan called the emergency declaration "an extremely alarming and grave political mistake and an undemocratic measure."
Authorities detained hundreds of party activists ahead of a planned "long march" to the capital, Islamabad. Police officials told AFP that 278 PTI members had been detained in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since the emergency declaration. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that provincial Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had been placed in custody, though he stated Afridi had not been "arrested." An administrative official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Afridi was placed in "protective custody."
Zulfikar Bukhari, Khan’s aide and party spokesperson, described the move as "more of a coup disguised as emergency," warning it risks leading to further bloodshed. Kasim Khan, Imran Khan’s son, accused Army Chief Asim Munir of using terrorism as a justification for military operations in Pashtun areas, writing on X: "Pakistan belongs to its people, not its military."
A petition challenging the emergency and governor’s rule was filed in the Peshawar High Court on Monday. Filed by Advocate Salman, the petition names President Zardari, Prime Minister Sharif, and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi as respondents, arguing the measures are "unconstitutional, illegal and motivated by mala fide intentions."
The emergency has disrupted daily life in the province. Schools were closed in several districts, including Mardan and Peshawar, and examinations were postponed. Internet and cellular services were disrupted in parts of the province, though Netblocks reported major disruptions the previous night. In Peshawar, shipping containers and razor wire blocked roads leading to the administrative zone, and police deployed large numbers of personnel.
The imposition of emergency rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa marks a significant escalation in the political confrontation between the federal government and Imran Khan’s PTI. The province is a key political base for the PTI, and the suspension of its elected administration places a major stronghold under direct federal control. This development occurs amidst deepening political instability, economic discontent, and ongoing security challenges along the Afghan border, raising concerns about democratic norms and civil liberties in Pakistan.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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