Pakistan imposes emergency in Imran Khan’s last stronghold, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
President Asif Ali Zardari signed summary imposing emergency and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution
ISLAMABAD (MNTV) — President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday signed a summary imposing an emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution.
The move suspends the elected provincial government in Pakistan’s only province run by the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The proclamation says the measures take effect immediately. It cites rising terrorist attacks, threats to citizens’ lives and property, and attacks on government installations, infrastructure and law enforcement agencies.
It also states that, under the prevailing circumstances, the provincial government cannot be run in accordance with the Constitution.
The decision came hours after the federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, approved the proposed emergency and recommended action under both articles, according to a Prime Minister’s Office press release.
Governor takes control
Under the proclamation, the federal government can direct Governor Faisal Karim Kundi to exercise some or all functions of the provincial government, and the powers of the KP Assembly will be exercised by Parliament or under its authority.
The governor will also exercise the powers of provincial institutions and officials, with the exception of the provincial assembly.
The assembly has not been dissolved, but its legislative powers have been suspended.
The practical effect is to sideline Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s administration.
Kundi said the public had welcomed the presidential proclamation.
Security reports and “now or never” moment
Two security reports from the KP police and intelligence agencies were presented at Sunday’s cabinet meeting.
They showed a 195 percent increase in terrorist incidents in the province between March 1, 2024, and September 23, 2026.
The reports also pointed to serious operational weaknesses in the KP police and Counter Terrorism Department, including more than 9,000 vacant police posts.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told the cabinet it was “now or never,” and said the federal government had provided Rs800 billion over the past decade to fight terrorism in the province.
Cabinet members expressed concern over what they called the provincial government’s deliberate disengagement from the fight against terrorism.
Twelve districts under separate review
The proclamation covers the whole province.
Administrative arrangements for 12 districts are being considered separately.
Those districts, according to media reports, are Upper and Lower Kurram, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank and Dera Ismail Khan.
The proposals reportedly include a federally administered FATA Council to oversee development and law and order in these districts.
No formal decision on that body has been announced.
Weeks of escalating tension
The proclamation follows weeks of confrontation between Islamabad and the PTI-led provincial government over counterterrorism policy and Afghanistan.
It also comes as the PTI stages a long march demanding the release of party founder Imran Khan.
On September 30, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the federal government was considering an emergency in KP.
He insisted the proposal stemmed from the province’s worsening security situation and had nothing to do with the PTI’s march.
The deciding steps came over the weekend.
On Saturday, Zardari and Sharif met at the President’s House and agreed to impose an emergency in KP.
That meeting reviewed a report from Governor Kundi on the province’s law-and-order and security situation.
PTI vows resistance
The PTI had rejected federal intervention well before the proclamation.
On Saturday, Afridi said the party would not accept any “illegal move,” including governor’s rule or an emergency.
He said the matter had “gone beyond seats and power” and that he was ready to sacrifice his position for Imran Khan and the Pashtuns.
After Sunday’s move, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan condemned the emergency as an undemocratic step that threatens provincial autonomy and the constitutional rights of the people.
Gohar has argued that governor’s rule or an emergency is no solution to terrorism and could harm both the province and the federation.
PTI leaders have warned that they would resign from the national and provincial assemblies if either measure was imposed.
Afridi has said he will announce his next course of action on October 13 at the Swabi interchange.
Parliament to vote
The proclamation now goes to Parliament.
Separate sessions of the National Assembly and Senate have been called for October 13 to seek approval for the emergency.
Under the Constitution, such a proclamation must be endorsed separately by both houses within 10 days and then presented to a joint session within 30 days.
In total, the emergency provision can remain in effect for up to six months.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been here before.
The province, formerly the North-West Frontier Province, was placed under governor’s rule in 1975, 1994 and 1999.
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