Pakistan’s federal government has imposed a state of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, effectively suspending the activities of the provincial government led by former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The decision took effect on Sunday, October 11, after President Asif Ali Zardari approved the move on the recommendation of the federal cabinet.
According to Pakistani newspaper Dawn, the development has effectively brought the PTI-led provincial government’s operations to a halt, placing the province under governor’s rule.
An emergency meeting of the federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, reviewed the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Discussions focused on the deterioration of law and order in the province and the provincial government’s role in combating terrorism.
Following the meeting, the cabinet recommended imposing emergency rule and governor’s rule under Articles 232 and 234 of Pakistan’s Constitution, Dawn reported.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said the cabinet had taken into consideration the provincial government’s alleged withdrawal from the fight against terrorism. The federal government said the measures were prompted by the worsening security situation in the province.
The imposition of emergency rule has increased federal government control over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s administration. Dawn reported that Muhammad Fakhr Alam Irfan has been appointed the province’s chief secretary.
The PTI, led by Imran Khan, remains the ruling party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The federal government’s decision came as party leaders and activists began protest marches toward Islamabad demanding Khan’s release.
