Pakistan lawmakers endorse emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Mehmood Khan Achakzai warned on Wednesday that governor’s rule would be imposed next in Sindh over the “occupation of water, mines and streams”, urging the Centre to give provinces their rights and resources. He was speaking in the National Assembly, where a resolution endorsing the imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday was passed. The federal government cited the provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement” from the fight against terrorism as the reason for imposing governor’s rule in KP. In days preceding the development, political tensions between the federal government and the opposition, mainly the PTI, had remained high after the party announced a long march to demand the release of its jailed founder, Imran Khan. However, the march, initially planned for Islamabad, remained confined to KP until it fizzled out with the imposition of governor’s rule in the province. In his address, Achakzai said KP’s “mistake is that it saved itself with the help of its people”. He also drew a comparison between the current situation with regards to KP and the one witnessed at the time of the creation of Bangladesh. He also assailed the government for depriving the PTI of its election symbol ahead of the 2024 general elections. “And the mistake of his (Imran’s) party’s workers was that they contested the elections on 200 different symbols and turned your own game around on you. You are meting out the punishment for that? You are punishing 240 million people of Pakistan for that?” The opposition leader also pointed out that Sohail Afridi, who has become non-functional as the chief minister after the imposition of governor’s rule and had been leading the PTI’s march, had not resorted to violence or using expletives in his call for the protest. He went on to say, “When you try to snatch our right to self-determination, our right to vote, we all will stand against you. All of us, all provinces.” Noting the participation of the PPP, which is in power in Sindh, Achakzai said it pained him. He then warned that governor’s rule would next be imposed in Sindh over the “occupation of water, mines and streams”. “And then you will recall your mistake,” he said, noting however that there was still time to rectify mistakes. “Reverse these decisions,” Achakzai said, urging that Parliament be made the centre of power. “And Pakistan will be saved.” He warned that when the “state turns against its own people, they are compelled to look elsewhere”. The opposition also criticised the government over the country’s economic situation. “You are looting this country’s resources […] Have some mercy on this country. […] This country is drowning because of our mistakes. There is only one way to save it: through its Constitution and Parliament and by having a democratic system,” he asserted. Achakzai also lamented the fact the Parliament was not taken into confidence over decisions related to foreign affairs, and that Pakistan had strained ties with most of its neighbours. On Imran, who has not been allowed meetings with his family and associates for a long time, Achakzai said: “Which provision of the Constitution … places a restriction on meetings with the most popular leader of the country?” He assured that if meetings were arranged with Imran, “we will just try to assess his health condition and will try to resolve matter between you. We promise we will meet him and not tell anyone. […] Have some sense. Negotiate.” He concluded his address by declaring that the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in KP was wrong.

Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Mehmood Khan Achakzai warned on Wednesday that governor’s rule would be imposed next in Sindh over the “occupation of water, mines and streams”, urging the Centre to give provinces their rights and resources. He was speaking in the National Assembly, where a resolution endorsing the imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday was passed. The federal government cited the provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement” from the fight against terrorism as the reason for imposing governor’s rule in KP. In days preceding the development, political tensions between the federal government and the opposition, mainly the PTI, had remained high after the party announced a long march to demand the release of its jailed founder, Imran Khan. However, the march, initially planned for Islamabad, remained confined to KP until it fizzled out with the imposition of governor’s rule in the province. In his address, Achakzai said KP’s “mistake is that it saved itself with the help of its people”. He also drew a comparison between the current situation with regards to KP and the one witnessed at the time of the creation of Bangladesh. He also assailed the government for depriving the PTI of its election symbol ahead of the 2024 general elections. “And the mistake of his (Imran’s) party’s workers was that they contested the elections on 200 different symbols and turned your own game around on you. You are meting out the punishment for that? You are punishing 240 million people of Pakistan for that?” The opposition leader also pointed that Sohail Afridi, who has become non-functional as the chief minister after the imposition of governor’s rule and had been leading the PTI’s march, had not resorted to violence or using expletives in his call for the protest. He went on to say, “When you try to snatch our right to self-determination, our right to vote, we all will stand against you. All of us, all provinces.” Noting the participation of the PPP, which is in power in Sindh, Achakzai said it pained him. He then warned that governor’s rule would next be imposed in Sindh over the “occupation of water, mines and streams”. “And then you will recall your mistake.” He said there was still time to rectify mistakes. “Reverse these decisions,” Achakzai said, urging for making Parliament the centre of power. “And Pakistan will be saved,” he remarked. He warned that when the “state turns against its own people, they are compelled to look elsewhere”. The opposition also criticised the government over the country’s economy situation. “You are looting this country’s resources […] Have some mercy on this country. […] This country is drowning because of our mistakes. There is only one way to save it: through its Constitution and Parliament and by have a democratic system,” he asserted. Achakzai also lamented the fact the Parliament was not taken into confidence over decisions related to foreign affairs, and that Pakistan had strained ties with most of its neighbours. On Imran, who has not been allowed meeting with his family and associates for a long time, Achakzai said: “Which provision of the Constitution … places a restriction on meetings with the most popular leader of the country?” He assured that if meetings were arrangement with Imran, “we will just try to assess his health condition and will try to resolve matter between you. We promise we will meet him and not tell anyone. […] Have some sense. Negotiate”. He concluded his address by declaring that the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in KP was wrong.

ISLAMABAD: Shortly after the National Assembly passed a resolution endorsing the federal government’s imposition of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday, the Senate also gave its approval for the measure. The Centre had imposed governor’s rule and emergency in KP on Sunday, citing the provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement” from the fight against terrorism. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry tabled the motions regarding the proclamation of emergency before both Houses. The NA question hour session was suspended due to discussions on the emergency. The motion in the lower House of Parliament was adopted with a majority vote after a discussion opened by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar. “The National Assembly approves the Proclamation of Emergency issued by the President on the 11th October, 2026 in the Province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under second proviso of clause (1) of Article 232 of the Constitution,” read a post by NA’s official X account. According to Article 232, if the “president acts on his own, the Proclamation of Emergency shall be placed” before both Houses of the Parliament for approval by each House within 10 days. Meanwhile, a proclamation for governor’s rule issued under Article 234 “shall be laid before a joint sitting and shall cease to be in force at the expiration of two months”, unless a joint sitting approves its extension. However, such a measure shall not remain in force for more than six months. Throughout Wednesday’s proceedings, opposition members participated calmly and did not stage any loud protest, unlike past instances of ruckus when PTI objects to the Centre. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also attended part of the session, with pictures released by the NA showing him shaking hands with Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif shakes hands with leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, on Wednesday. — Photo courtesy NA Facebook Federal ministers defended the emergency imposition while assailing what they described as the PTI-led KP government’s lack of will to combat terrorism. In tune with that, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari blamed the PTI for the circumstances that compelled the Centre to impose emergency in KP and termed it a “political suicide attack” for the party. However, he also urged the treasury and the opposition to get back on the path of dialogue and make joint efforts against terrorism. At one point during the proceedings, NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq noted that the Oct 3 dialogue was held in a cordial atmosphere. Sadiq praised both sides for “attempting more than their capacity so that the matter is settled”. However, he said some matters were beyond the parties’ control and voiced his support for forming the same committees for negotiations if ever needed in the future. Addressing PTI lawmakers, the speaker said, “Everyone’s response was that this [process of dialogue] should continue, but you also understand that your hands were tied.” He took note of the PTI’s complaints regarding the jail conditions of party founder Imran Khan, adding that he had even provided details of facilities provided to the jailed ex-premier. The session was adjourned to meet again at 11am on Oct 16 (Friday). ‘Political suicide attack’ Bilawal began his speech by highlighting that emergency and governor’s rule in KP were measures taken under the Constitution. Reading the relevant provisions, he asserted that the Centre tried its best to “engage the opposition so this step did not have to be taken”. “They will have to accept, even if not publicly, but the responsible leadership of the opposition knows that the PTI itself carried out a political suicide attack on its KP government,” he remarked. The PPP chief maintained that the PTI could not deny that its “leadership, particularly in the province had a key role in the political, constitutional and legal circumstances” at present. Bilawal emphasised that the PPP’s stance was that “before employing this constitutional atomic bomb, we must engage with PTI and the opposition and try to address the federal government’s reservations that they were not supporting them in the war against terrorism”. He observed: “If political space is restricted for one political party, it is impossible that it remains restricted for that particular party; it is limited for every political party, political worker and Pakistani citizen. “We are responsible for this, but you cannot deny that you are also responsible for it,” he said. Terming the imposition of emergency a “difficult decision”, Bilawal recalled alleged remarks by Sohail Afridi — the KP chief minister whose role is now non-functional — that he would not combat terrorism the way the Centre wanted. “If this was not a political suicide, then what else was it?” The Bhutto scion wondered if the opposition and Afridi had left any reason for President Asif Ali Zardari, who he said prides himself on passing the 18th Amendment, to “refuse to sign” the emergency proclamation. He argued that due to the PTI’s actions and statements, neither the president, the Centre, nor he had any legal or political reason left for not imposing emergency in KP. “But even today, I would recommend to the federal government that we extend our hand forward once again for negotiations, political discussions and try to find a resolution and a middle path,” Bilawal added. The PPP chairman noted that emergency was “always a stopgap measure”. “We cannot sustain the emergency forever,” he added, emphasising that while the counterterrorism fight would be better than before, an “all-of-society and all-of-country response” was needed to eradicate it completely. Regarding the Oct 3 talks of a joint delegation of the PPP and the government with the opposition, Bilawal said, “Late at night, I was informed that congratulations, negotiations are succeeding.” He said the PTI was willing to declare the areas in KP with surging terrorism as “terrorist areas”, and the opposition was about to agree that the federal and KP governments would sign a pact on joint efforts against terrorism. However, the dialogue collapsed. The former foreign minister pointed out that the security challenges Pakistan was facing were “way more complicated” than before, adding that India “could still not digest […] its embarrassment” from the May 2025 conflict. Referring to remarks by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that its ‘Operation Sindoor’ was still ongoing, Bilawal said: “It means that India is still sponsoring terrorist incidents in Pakistan, sometimes in the form of TTP (Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan) and sometimes in the form of separatist terrorist groups.” He reiterated Pakistan’s stance that India was involved in terrorist activities being conducted from across the Afghan border. The ex-foreign minister then highlighted Islamabad’s role as a mediator in the US-Iran war. “But there is a state — which we do not recognise as a state — that will neither be happy nor ever forget that you took this step. And those Zionist forces will and are interfering in Pakistan’s internal politics and state.” Concluding his speech, the PPP chairman emphasised the need for building consensus on “some fundamental issues” for an empowered lower house. “Even today, we are saying, come and at least begin from this house,” he said while addressing the opposition benches. Gohar demands implementation of NAP Speaking on the NA floor, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan’s said his party “rejected” the Centre’s move to impose emergency in KP. He asked what “terrorism” Imran’s wife or sisters had allegedly been involved in that they had been put behind bars, or what the accusations were against the PTI MNAs and MPAs who he said were detained. Gohar further said, “One person is not present in the house currently. When he comes during a joint session, then I will reveal the reality of the negotiations.” He affirmed that the PTI had raised its voice against terrorism, adding that measures against the scourge must be taken according to the National Action Plan (NAP). Gohar argued that the PML-N opposition during the PTI’s tenure carried out “14 long marches in two years, but you did not let us stage even one long march”. Presenting his version of the Oct 3 talks with the government, the PTI leader said his party was being asked to immediately call off the long march. “I said where did [the topic] of terrorism arise from suddenly.” Noting that the government had put forward “five reservations”, Gohar said PTI was willing to make the KP Police Act similar to that of Punjab and Sindh. The PTI leader reiterated his party’s request for the production of certain MNAs it says were taken into custody. Gohar also welcomed Bilawal’s proposal to continue dialogue. Responding to Gohar’s remarks, the PPP chairman said the PTI was busy in its long march while the people of KP were being targeted by terrorists. Bilawal reiterated that the opposition could keep arguing against the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in KP, but no one could deny that the decision was grounded in the Constitution. “I cannot insist on the government to continue talks with PTI despite being defrauded multiple times,” the PPP chairman said. Pointing towards Gohar and Achakzai, Bilawal said: “I believe that none of them is allied with terrorists. I believe that they will definitely want to combat terrorism; however, they cannot deny the fact that their former chief minister contradicted this fact.” Bilawal again requested all the stakeholders to unite and combat terrorism collectively. He also called for the provision of all facilities to the incarcerated PTI founder. ‘Threat to national security’ Addressing the house, the law minister explained that emergency was imposed in KP as the security situation there was becoming a threat to “national security”. Tarar noted that after the Proclamation of Emergency was issued, the Constitution’s Article 232 required that both houses of the parliament approve the measure. He recalled that the federal cabinet examined “material” regarding terrorism in the province during its Oct 11 meeting and then advised PM Shehbaz to recommend the imposition of emergency. He noted that some people compared the measure to the emergency imposed by former dictator Gen Pervez Musharraf on Oct 12, 1999. The minister particularly noted “internal disturbances” and cross-border infiltrations. He contended that the situation since Oct 15, 2025, when Sohail Afridi’s government came into power in KP, was “turning into a threat to national security to an alarming extent”. He went on to highlight that there was a rise in terrorism in KP, especially after 2021, due to the approach of the provincial government. “Perhaps there might be foreign, diplomatic and political reasons behind it, which got inflamed due to a political party’s point of view.” Tarar stated that 2,911 incidents of terrorism took place between 2021 and 2024 in KP, but they surged to 3,787 incidents between Oct 15, 2025 and Oct 9, 2026. He criticised the KP chief minister for ignoring martyred security and police personnel, and for instead preferring to promote his political designs and make visits across the country. “Even this was announced that the federal capital will be conquered,” he said, referring to the party’s plan to hold a protest long march towards the federal capital. The PML-N leader expressed his government’s gratitude to NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq for providing a platform for dialogue between the Centre and the opposition. He reiterated the government’s stance that the PTI had the agreement draft changed multiple times, but even then backed off from it. Tarar observed that the PTI demanded the release of their party founder Imran Khan and his treatment in a private hospital despite knowing that only courts could provide such a relief. He said two days would be “remembered in the country’s democratic history with regard to misfortune and a political party”. On the emergency measure, the law minister noted that a special mechanism has been introduced for 12 districts of KP. Speaking after Tarar, Achakzai criticised him for trying to prove that terrorism was not tackled in KP. The opposition leader questioned the government’s mandate in the February 2024 general elections, quipping that the opposition would “surrender” if the minister could swear that the government won those polls fairly. Achakzai alleged that the incumbent ruling coalition was formed “illegally”. ‘You do not have clean hands’ Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif went on to recall the tenure of the PTI government in the Centre and assailed the party’s past actions. Referring to ex-prime minister Imran Khan’s plan to resettle members of the TTP, he said PTI tried to convince the then-opposition that “bringing these terrorists back would be better for Pakistan”. The PML-N leader mentioned the 2019 episode of an Indian pilot’s capture in Pakistan: “They had threatened and we were surrendering. The then-prime minister was saying, ‘What should I do? Attack India?’” Asif urged the opposition to reflect on its past actions, adding that Imran often used to praise former army chief retired General Qamar Javed Bajwa. “As long as this contradiction remains in our words and actions and in our society, the circumstances of this country will not fix.” He narrated his time behind bars during the PTI government, when Shehbaz “smuggled a blanket” to him to brace the low temperatures. “I used to eat the jail’s food,” he said, claiming that orders were given to remove the geyser when it was installed. “But we did not hold rallies or mourn at D-Chowk or dig graves. We did not martyr police and law enforcement personnel,” Asif remarked. “You demand equity when you have clean hands. You do not have clean hands, you cannot demand equity; this is a thousand-year-old principle,” he contended. “You know very well what Gen Musharraf did to me. There was a 4x6 cell in Attock jail,” the PML-N politician said, emphasising that he stood with his party and ex-PM Nawaz Sharif. Speaking on the current political situation, Asif alleged that Afridi used to “take directives […] from a person sitting in Afghanistan”. He referred to a statement by the TTP condemning the imposition of emergency and deployment of troops in certain places. “Who is their ally and who is their rival?” he said. The minister further countered the PTI’s stance that its leaders have not been able to meet Imran, who is imprisoned in the Adiala jail. “Meetings are held, [but] a lot of them are not publicised or brought on record,” he maintained. Farooq Sattar urges PTI to ‘openly condemn terrorism’ In his remarks on the floor of the lower house, Farooq Sattar expressed Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) confidence in the decision taken by the prime minister. “This was an extremely difficult decision, but so unavoidable that you had no other option,” Sattar said about imposing emergency and governor’s rule. “We trust your decision as we trust your experience, capabilities, political acumen, and that you made this decision in the interest of the nation,” he added. The MQM-P lawmaker contended that the PTI was “on the wrong side and does not have concrete arguments” to declare that the decision was baseless or made with political motives. “The main issue is of the mindset,” he declared, adding that Imran had “publicly said that the war on terror is not ours”. “This is their policy. This is their mindset.” Sattar questioned whether the KP government had ever published reports to expose terrorist hideouts and extremist trends. He further raised questions about the government’s pursuit of cases against suspected terrorists. “Openly condemn terrorism; else, the allegation of backing [it], if a commission is formed and God forbid, it is proven in the inquiry that there is political extremism and terrorism complicity, there is a nexus, then where will you go?” Sattar recounted his past MQM experiences, saying, “I have also suffered such times. A lot of times, the narrative coming from the top was difficult to defend. Today, I feel that Barrister Gohar is also not in the position to defend his [party’s] position on KP.”

ISLAMABAD: Shortly after the National Assembly passed a resolution endorsing the federal government’s imposition of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday, the Senate also gave its approval for the measure. The Centre had imposed governor’s rule and emergency in KP on Sunday, citing the provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement” from the fight against terrorism. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry tabled the motion regarding the proclamation of emergency before both Houses. The NA question hour session was suspended due to discussions on the emergency. The motion in the lower House of Parliament was adopted with a majority vote after a discussion opened by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar. “The National Assembly approves the Proclamation of Emergency issued by the President on the 11th October, 2026 in the Province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under second proviso of clause (1) of Article 232 of the Constitution,” read a post by NA’s official X account. According to Article 232, if the “president acts on his own, the proclamation of emergency shall be placed” before both Houses of the Parliament for approval by each House within 10 days. The proclamation of emergency is now pending approval by the Senate. Meanwhile, a proclamation for governor’s rule issued under Article 234 “shall be laid before a joint sitting and shall cease to be in force at the expiration of two months”, unless a joint sitting approves its extension. However, such a measure shall not remain in force for more than six months. Throughout Wednesday’s proceedings, opposition members participated calmly and did not stage any loud protest, unlike past instances of ruckus when PTI objects to the Centre. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also attended part of the session, with pictures released by the NA showing him shaking hands with Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai. Federal ministers defended the emergency imposition while assailing what they described as the PTI-led KP government’s lack of will to combat terrorism. In tune with that, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari blamed the PTI for the circumstances that compelled the Centre to impose emergency in KP and termed it a “political suicide attack” for the party. However, he also urged the treasury and the opposition to get back on the path of dialogue and make joint efforts against terrorism. At one point during the proceedings, NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq noted that the Oct 3 dialogue was held in a cordial atmosphere. Sadiq praised both sides for “attempting more than their capacity so that the matter is settled”. However, he said some matters were beyond the parties’ control and voiced his support for forming the same committees for negotiations if ever needed in the future. Addressing PTI lawmakers, the speaker said, “Everyone’s response was that this [process of dialogue] should continue, but you also understand that your hands were tied.” He took note of the PTI’s complaints regarding the jail conditions of party founder Imran Khan, adding that he had even provided details of facilities provided to the jailed ex-premier. The session was adjourned to meet again at 11am on Oct 16 (Friday). ‘Political suicide attack’ Bilawal began his speech by highlighting that emergency and governor’s rule in KP were measures taken under the Constitution. Reading the relevant provisions, he asserted that the Centre tried its best to “engage the opposition so this step did not have to be taken”. “They will have to accept, even if not publicly, but the responsible leadership of the opposition knows that the PTI itself carried out a political suicide attack on its KP government,” he remarked. The PPP chief maintained that the PTI could not deny that its “leadership, particularly in the province had a key role in the political, constitutional and legal circumstances” at present. Bilawal emphasised that the PPP’s stance was that “before employing this constitutional atomic bomb, we must engage with PTI and the opposition and try to address the federal government’s reservations that they were not supporting them in the war against terrorism”. He observed: “If political space is restricted for one political party, it is impossible that it remains restricted for that particular party; it is limited for every political party, political worker and Pakistani citizen. “We are responsible for this, but you cannot deny that you are also responsible for it,” he said. Terming the imposition of emergency a “difficult decision”, Bilawal recalled alleged remarks by Sohail Afridi — the KP chief minister whose role is now non-functional — that he would not combat terrorism the way the Centre wanted. “If this was not a political suicide, then what else was it?” The Bhutto scion wondered if the opposition and Afridi had left any reason for President Asif Ali Zardari, who he said prides himself on passing the 18th Amendment, to “refuse to sign” the emergency proclamation. He argued that due to the PTI’s actions and statements, neither the president, the Centre, nor he had any legal or political reason left for not imposing emergency in KP. “But even today, I would recommend to the federal government that we extend our hand forward once again for negotiations, political discussions and try to find a resolution and a middle path,” Bilawal added. The PPP chairman noted that emergency was “always a stopgap measure”. “We cannot sustain the emergency forever,” he added, emphasising that while the counterterrorism fight would be better than before, an “all-of-society and all-of-country response” was needed to eradicate it completely. Regarding the Oct 3 talks of a joint delegation of the PPP and the government with the opposition, Bilawal said, “Late at night, I was informed that congratulations, negotiations are succeeding.” He said the PTI was willing to declare the areas in KP with surging terrorism as “terrorist areas”, and the opposition was about to agree that the federal and KP governments would sign a pact on joint efforts against terrorism. However, the dialogue collapsed. The former foreign minister pointed out that the security challenges Pakistan was facing were “way more complicated” than before, adding that India “could still not digest […] its embarrassment” from the May 2025 conflict. Referring to remarks by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that its ‘Operation Sindoor’ was still ongoing, Bilawal said: “It means that India is still sponsoring terrorist incidents in Pakistan, sometimes in the form of TTP (Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan) and sometimes in the form of separatist terrorist groups.” He reiterated Pakistan’s stance that India was involved in terrorist activities being conducted from across the Afghan border. The ex-foreign minister then highlighted Islamabad’s role as a mediator in the US-Iran war. “But there is a state — which we do not recognise as a state — that will neither be happy nor ever forget that you took this step. And those Zionist forces will and are interfering in Pakistan’s internal politics and state.” Concluding his speech, the PPP chairman emphasised the need for building consensus on “some fundamental issues” for an empowered lower house. “Even today, we are saying, come and at least begin from this house,” he said while addressing the opposition benches. Gohar demands implementation of NAP Speaking on the NA floor, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan’s said his party “rejected” the Centre’s move to impose emergency in KP. He asked what “terrorism” Imran’s wife or sisters had allegedly been involved in that they had been put behind bars, or what the accusations were against the PTI MNAs and MPAs who he said were detained. Gohar further said, “One person is not present in the house currently. When he comes during a joint session, then I will reveal the reality of the negotiations.” He affirmed that the PTI had raised its voice against terrorism, adding that measures against the scourge must be taken according to the National Action Plan (NAP). Gohar argued that the PML-N opposition during the PTI’s tenure carried out “14 long marches in two years, but you did not let us stage even one long march”. Presenting his version of the Oct 3 talks with the government, the PTI leader said his party was being asked to immediately call off the long march. “I said where did [the topic] of terrorism arise from suddenly.” Noting that the government had put forward “five reservations”, Gohar said PTI was willing to make the KP Police Act similar to that of Punjab and Sindh. The PTI leader reiterated his party’s request for the production of certain MNAs it says were taken into custody. Gohar also welcomed Bilawal’s proposal to continue dialogue. Responding to Gohar’s remarks, the PPP chairman said the PTI was busy in its long march while the people of KP were being targeted by terrorists. Bilawal reiterated that the opposition could keep arguing against the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in KP, but no one could deny that the decision was grounded in the Constitution. “I cannot insist on the government to continue talks with PTI despite being defrauded multiple times,” the PPP chairman said. Pointing towards Gohar and Achakzai, Bilawal said: “I believe that none of them is allied with terrorists. I believe that they will definitely want to combat terrorism; however, they cannot deny the fact that their former chief minister contradicted this fact.” Bilawal again requested all the stakeholders to unite and combat terrorism collectively. He also called for the provision of all facilities to the incarcerated PTI founder. ‘Threat to national security’ Addressing the house, the law minister explained that emergency was imposed in KP as the security situation there was becoming a threat to “national security”. Tarar noted that after the proclamation of emergency was issued, the Constitution’s Article 232 required that both houses of the parliament approve the measure. He recalled that the federal cabinet examined “material” regarding terrorism in the province during its Oct 11 meeting and then advised PM Shehbaz to recommend the imposition of emergency. He noted that some people compared the measure to the emergency imposed by former dictator Gen Pervez Musharraf on Oct 12, 1999. The minister particularly noted “internal disturbances” and cross-border infiltrations. He contended that the situation since Oct 15, 2025, when Sohail Afridi’s government came into power in KP, was “turning into a threat to national security to an alarming extent”. He went on to highlight that there was a rise in terrorism in KP, especially after 2021, due to the approach of the provincial government. “Perhaps there might be foreign, diplomatic and political reasons behind it, which got inflamed due to a political party’s point of view.” Tarar stated that 2,911 incidents of terrorism took place between 2021 and 2024 in KP, but they surged to 3,787 incidents between Oct 15, 2025 and Oct 9, 2026. He criticised the KP chief minister for ignoring martyred security and police personnel, and for instead preferring to promote his political designs and make visits across the country. “Even this was announced that the federal capital will be conquered,” he said, referring to the party’s plan to hold a protest long march towards the federal capital. The PML-N leader expressed his government’s gratitude to NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq for providing a platform for dialogue between the Centre and the opposition. He reiterated the government’s stance that the PTI had the agreement draft changed multiple times, but even then backed off from it. Tarar observed that the PTI demanded the release of their party founder Imran Khan and his treatment in a private hospital despite knowing that only courts could provide such a relief. He said two days would be “remembered in the country’s democratic history with regard to misfortune and a political party”. On the emergency measure, the law minister noted that a special mechanism has been introduced for 12 districts of KP. Speaking after Tarar, Achakzai criticised him for trying to prove that terrorism was not tackled in KP. The opposition leader questioned the government’s mandate in the February 2024 general elections, quipping that the opposition would “surrender” if the minister could swear that the government won those polls fairly. Achakzai alleged that the incumbent ruling coalition was formed “illegally”. ‘You do not have clean hands’ Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif went on to recall the tenure of the PTI government in the Centre and assailed the party’s past actions. Referring to ex-prime minister Imran Khan’s plan to resettle members of the TTP, he said PTI tried to convince the then-opposition that “bringing these terrorists back would be better for Pakistan”. The PML-N leader mentioned the 2019 episode of an Indian pilot’s capture in Pakistan: “They had threatened and we were surrendering. The then-prime minister was saying, ‘What should I do? Attack India?’” Asif urged the opposition to reflect on its past actions, adding that Imran often used to praise former army chief retired General Qamar Javed Bajwa. “As long as this contradiction remains in our words and actions and in our society, the circumstances of this country will not fix.” He narrated his time behind bars during the PTI government, when Shehbaz “smuggled a blanket” to him to brace the low temperatures. “I used to eat the jail’s food,” he said, claiming that orders were given to remove the geyser when it was installed. “But we did not hold rallies or mourn at D-Chowk or dig graves. We did not martyr police and law enforcement personnel,” Asif remarked. “You demand equity when you have clean hands. You do not have clean hands, you cannot demand equity; this is a thousand-year-old principle,” he contended. “You know very well what Gen Musharraf did to me. There was a 4x6 cell in Attock jail,” the PML-N politician said, emphasising that he stood with his party and ex-PM Nawaz Sharif. Speaking on the current political situation, Asif alleged that Afridi used to “take directives […] from a person sitting in Afghanistan”. He referred to a statement by the TTP condemning the imposition of emergency and deployment of troops in certain places. “Who is their ally and who is their rival?” he said. The minister further countered the PTI’s stance that its leaders have not been able to meet Imran, who is imprisoned in the Adiala jail. “Meetings are held, [but] a lot of them are not publicised or brought on record,” he maintained. Farooq Sattar urges PTI to ‘openly condemn terrorism’ In his remarks on the floor of the lower house, Farooq Sattar expressed Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) confidence in the decision taken by the prime minister. “This was an extremely difficult decision, but so unavoidable that you had no other option,” Sattar said about imposing emergency and governor’s rule. “We trust your decision as we trust your experience, capabilities, political acumen, and that you made this decision in the interest of the nation,” he added. The MQM-P lawmaker contended that the PTI was “on the wrong side and does not have concrete arguments” to declare that the decision was baseless or made with political motives. “The main issue is of the mindset,” he declared, adding that Imran had “publicly said that the war on terror is not ours”. “This is their policy. This is their mindset.” Sattar questioned whether the KP government had ever published reports to expose terrorist hideouts and extremist trends. He further raised questions about the government’s pursuit of cases against suspected terrorists. “Openly condemn terrorism; else, the allegation of backing [it], if a commission is formed and God forbid, it is proven in the inquiry that there is political extremism and terrorism complicity, there is a nexus, then where will you go?” Sattar recounted his past MQM experiences, saying, “I have also suffered such times. A lot of times, the narrative coming from the top was difficult to defend. Today, I feel that Barrister Gohar is also not in the position to defend his [party’s] position on KP.”

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution endorsing the federal government’s imposition of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Centre had imposed governor’s rule and emergency in KP on Sunday, citing the provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement” from the fight against terrorism. The NA question hour session was suspended due to discussions on the emergency. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry tabled a motion regarding the proclamation of emergency, which was adopted with a majority vote following a discussion opened by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar. Throughout the proceedings, opposition members participated calmly and did not stage any loud protest, unlike past instances of ruckus when PTI objects to the Centre. During the session, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari blamed the PTI’s KP government for the circumstances that led to the imposition of emergency in the province, terming it a “political suicide attack”. Bilawal began his speech by highlighting that emergency and governor’s rule in KP were measures taken under the Constitution. Reading the relevant provisions, Bilawal asserted that the Centre tried its best to “engage the opposition so this step did not have to be taken”. “They will have to accept, even if not publicly, but the responsible leadership of the opposition knows that the PTI itself carried out a political suicide attack on its KP government,” he remarked. The PPP chief maintained that the PTI could not deny that its “leadership, particularly in the province had a key role in the political, constitutional and legal circumstances” at present. Bilawal emphasised that the PPP’s stance was that “before employing this constitutional atomic bomb, we must engage with PTI and the opposition and try to address the federal government’s reservations that they were not supporting them in the war against terrorism”. He observed: “If political space is restricted for one political party, it is impossible that it remains restricted for that particular party; it is limited for every political party, political worker and Pakistani citizen. “We are responsible for this, but you cannot deny that you are also responsible for it,” he said. Terming the imposition of emergency a “difficult decision”, Bilawal recalled alleged remarks by Sohail Afridi — the KP chief minister whose role is now non-functional — that he would not combat terrorism the way the Centre wanted. “If this was not a political suicide, then what else was it?” The Bhutto scion wondered if the opposition and Afridi had left any reason for President Asif Ali Zardari, who he said prides himself on passing the 18th Amendment, to “refuse to sign” the emergency proclamation. He argued that due to the PTI’s actions and statements, neither the president, the Centre, nor he had any legal or political reason left for not imposing emergency in KP. “But even today, I would recommend to the federal government that we extend our hand forward once again for negotiations, political discussions and try to find a resolution and a middle path,” Bilawal added. The PPP chairman noted that emergency was “always a stopgap measure”. “We cannot sustain the emergency forever,” he added, emphasising that while the counterterrorism fight would be better than before, an “all-of-society and all-of-country response” was needed to eradicate it completely. Regarding the Oct 3 talks of a joint delegation of the PPP and the government with the opposition, Bilawal said, “Late at night, I was informed that congratulations, negotiations are succeeding.” He said the PTI was willing to declare the areas in KP with surging terrorism as “terrorist areas”, and the opposition was about to agree that the federal and KP governments would sign a pact on joint efforts against terrorism. However, the dialogue collapsed. The former foreign minister pointed out that the security challenges Pakistan was facing were “way more complicated” than before, adding that India “could still not digest […] its embarrassment” from the May 2025 conflict. Referring to remarks by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that its ‘Operation Sindoor’ was still ongoing, Bilawal said: “It means that India is still sponsoring terrorist incidents in Pakistan, sometimes in the form of TTP (Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan) and sometimes in the form of separatist terrorist groups.” He reiterated Pakistan’s stance that India was involved in terrorist activities being conducted from across the Afghan border. The ex-foreign minister then highlighted Islamabad’s role as a mediator in the US-Iran war. “But there is a state — which we do not recognise as a state — that will neither be happy nor ever forget that you took this step. And those Zionist forces will and are interfering in Pakistan’s internal politics and state.” Concluding his speech, the PPP chairman emphasised the need for building consensus on “some fundamental issues” for an empowered lower house. “Even today, we are saying, come and at least begin from this house,” he said while addressing the opposition benches. At one point during the proceedings, the NA speaker noted that the Oct 3 dialogue was held in a cordial atmosphere, praising both sides for “attempting more than their capacity that the matter is settled”. However, he said some matters were beyond the parties’ control and voiced his support for forming the same committees for negotiations if ever needed in the future. Gohar demands implementation of NAP Speaking on the NA floor, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan’s said his party “rejected” the Centre’s move to impose emergency in KP. He asked what “terrorism” Imran’s wife or sisters had allegedly been involved in that they had been put behind bars, or what the accusations were against the PTI MNAs and MPAs who he said were detained. Gohar further said, “One person is not present in the house currently. When he comes during a joint session, then I will reveal the reality of the negotiations.” He affirmed that the PTI had raised its voice against terrorism, adding that measures against the scourge must be taken according to the National Action Plan (NAP). Responding to Gohar’s remarks, Bilawal said the PTI was busy in its long march while the people of KP were being targeted by terrorists. Bilawal reiterated that the opposition could keep arguing against the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in KP, but no one could deny that the decision was grounded in the Constitution. “I cannot insist on the government to continue talks with PTI despite being defrauded multiple times,” the PPP chairman said. Pointing towards Gohar and NA Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Bilawal said: “I believe that none of them is allied with terrorists. I believe that they will definitely want to combat terrorism; however, they cannot deny the fact that their former chief minister contradicted this fact.” Bilawal again requested all the stakeholders to unite and combat terrorism collectively. He also called for the provision of all facilities to the incarcerated PTI founder. ‘Threat to national security’ Addressing the house, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar explained that emergency was imposed in KP as the security situation there was becoming a threat to “national security”. Tarar noted that after the proclamation of emergency was issued, the Constitution’s Article 232 required that both houses of the parliament approve the measure. He recalled that the federal cabinet examined “material” regarding terrorism in the province during its Oct 11 meeting and then advised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to recommend the imposition of emergency. He noted that some people compared the measure to the emergency imposed by former dictator Gen Pervez Musharraf on Oct 12, 1999. The minister particularly noted “internal disturbances” and cross-border infiltrations. He contended that the situation since Oct 15, 2025, when Sohail Afridi’s government came into power in KP, was “turning into a threat to national security to an alarming extent”. He went on to highlight that there was a rise in terrorism in KP, especially after 2021, due to the approach of the provincial government. “Perhaps there might be foreign, diplomatic and political reasons behind it, which got inflamed due to a political party’s point of view.” Tarar stated that 2,911 incidents of terrorism took place between 2021 and 2024 in KP, but they surged to 3,787 incidents between Oct 15, 2025 and Oct 9, 2026. He criticised the KP chief minister for ignoring martyred security and police personnel, and for instead preferring to promote his political designs and make visits across the country. “Even this was announced that the federal capital will be conquered,” he said, referring to the party’s plan to hold a protest long march towards the federal capital. The PML-N leader expressed his government’s gratitude to NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq for providing a platform for dialogue between the Centre and the opposition. He reiterated the government’s stance that the PTI had the agreement draft changed multiple times, but even then backed off from it. Tarar observed that the PTI demanded the release of their party founder Imran Khan and his treatment in a private hospital despite knowing that only courts could provide such a relief. He said two days would be “remembered in the country’s democratic history with regard to misfortune and a political party”. On the emergency measure, the law minister noted that a special mechanism has been introduced for 12 districts of KP. Speaking after Tarar, Achakzai criticised him for trying to prove that terrorism was not tackled in KP. The opposition leader questioned the government’s mandate in the February 2024 general elections, quipping that the opposition would “surrender” if the minister could swear that the government won those polls fairly. Achakzai alleged that the incumbent ruling coalition was formed “illegally”. ‘You do not have clean hands’ Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif went on to recall the tenure of the PTI government in the Centre and assailed the party’s past actions. Referring to ex-prime minister Imran Khan’s plan to resettle members of the TTP, he said PTI tried to convince the then-opposition that “bringing these terrorists back would be better for Pakistan”. The PML-N leader mentioned the 2019 episode of an Indian pilot’s capture in Pakistan: “They had threatened and we were surrendering. The then-prime minister was saying, ‘What should I do? Attack India?’” Asif urged the opposition to reflect on its past actions, adding that Imran often used to praise former army chief retired General Qamar Javed Bajwa. “As long as this contradiction remains in our words and actions and in our society, the circumstances of this country will not fix.” He narrated his time behind bars during the PTI government, when Shehbaz “smuggled a blanket” to him to brace the low temperatures. “I used to eat the jail’s food,” he said, claiming that orders were given to remove the geyser when it was installed. “But we did not hold rallies or mourn at D-Chowk or dig graves. We did not martyr police and law enforcement personnel,” Asif remarked. “You demand equity when you have clean hands. You do not have clean hands, you cannot demand equity; this is a thousand-year-old principle,” he contended. “You know very well what Gen Musharraf did to me. There was a 4x6 cell in Attock jail,” the PML-N politician said, emphasising that he stood with his party and ex-PM Nawaz Sharif. Speaking on the current political situation, Asif alleged that Afridi used to “take directives […] from a person sitting in Afghanistan”. He referred to a statement by the TTP condemning the imposition of emergency and deployment of troops in certain places. “Who is their ally and who is their rival?” he said. The minister further countered the PTI’s stance that its leaders have not been able to meet Imran, who is imprisoned in the Adiala jail. “Meetings are held, [but] a lot of them are not publicised or brought on record,” he maintained. Farooq Sattar urges PTI to ‘openly condemn terrorism’ In his remarks on the floor of the lower house, Farooq Sattar expressed Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) confidence in the decision taken by the prime minister. “This was an extremely difficult decision, but so unavoidable that you had no other option,” Sattar said about imposing emergency and governor’s rule. “We trust your decision as we trust your experience, capabilities, political acumen, and that you made this decision in the interest of the nation,” he added. The MQM-P lawmaker contended that the PTI was “on the wrong side and does not have concrete arguments” to declare that the decision was baseless or made with political motives. “The main issue is of the mindset,” he declared, adding that Imran had “publicly said that the war on terror is not ours”. “This is their policy. This is their mindset.” Sattar questioned whether the KP government had ever published reports to expose terrorist hideouts and extremist trends. He further raised questions about the government’s pursuit of cases against suspected terrorists. “Openly condemn terrorism; else, the allegation of backing [it], if a commission is formed and God forbid, it is proven in the inquiry that there is political extremism and terrorism complicity, there is a nexus, then where will you go?” Sattar recounted his past MQM experiences, saying, “I have also suffered such times. A lot of times, the narrative coming from the top was difficult to defend. Today, I feel that Barrister Gohar is also not in the position to defend his [party’s] position on KP.”

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Wednesday blamed the PTI’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for the circumstances that led to the imposition of emergency in the province, terming it a “political suicide attack”. He made the remarks while addressing the National Assembly, which is discussing the Centre’s measures of imposing emergency and governor’s rule in KP, for which it cited the provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement” from the fight against terrorism. The NA question hour session was suspended due to discussions on the emergency. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry tabled the motion regarding the proclamation of emergency, while Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar opened the discussion. At the outset of the proceedings, opposition members were sitting calmly and staging no protest. Bilawal began his speech by highlighting that emergency and governor’s rule in KP were measures taken under the Constitution. Reading the relevant provisions, Bilawal asserted that the Centre tried its best to “engage the opposition so this step does not have to be taken”. “They will have to accept, even if not publicly, but the responsible leadership of the opposition knows that the PTI itself carried out a political suicide attack on its KP government,” he remarked. The PPP chief maintained that the PTI could not deny that its “leadership, particularly the provincial, had a key role in the political, constitutional and legal circumstances” present. Bilawal emphasised that the PPP’s stance was that “before using this constitutional atomic bomb, we must engage with PTI and the opposition and have to try to address the federal government’s reservations that they were not supporting them in the war against terrorism”. He observed: “If political space is restricted for one political party, it is impossible that the political space is restricted only for that political party; it is limited for every political party, political worker and Pakistani citizen. “We are responsible for this, but you cannot deny that you are also responsible for it.” Terming the imposition of emergency a “difficult decision”, Bilawal recalled alleged remarks by Sohail Afridi — the KP chief minister whose role is now non-functional — that he would not combat terrorism the way the Centre wanted. “If this was not a political suicide, then what else was it?” The Bhutto scion wondered if the opposition and the KP CM had left any reason that President Asif Ali Zardari, who prides himself on passing the 18th Amendment, could “refuse to sign” the emergency proclamation. He argued that due to the PTI’s actions and statements, neither the president, the Centre, nor he had any legal or political reason left for not imposing emergency in KP. “But even today, I would recommend to the federal government that we should extend our hand forward once again for negotiations, political discussions and to find a resolution and middle path,” Bilawal added. The PPP chairman noted that emergency was “always a stopgap measure”. “We cannot sustain the emergency forever,” he added, emphasising that while the counterterrorism fight would be better than before, an “all-of-society and all-of-country response” was still needed to eradicate terrorism completely. Regarding the Oct 3 talks of a joint delegation of the PPP and the government with the opposition, Bilawal said, “Late at night, I was informed that congratulations, negotiations are succeeding.” He said the PTI was willing to declare the areas in KP with surging terrorism as “terrorist areas”, and the opposition was about to agree that the federal and KP governments would sign a pact on joint efforts against terrorism. However, the dialogue collapsed. The former foreign minister pointed out that the security challenges Pakistan was facing were “way more complicated” than before, adding that India “could still not digest […] its embarrassment” from the May 2025 conflict. Referring to remarks by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that its ‘Operation Sindoor’ was still ongoing, Bilawal said: “It means that India is still sponsoring terrorist incidents in Pakistan, sometimes in the form of TTP (Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan) and sometimes in the form of separatist terrorist groups.” He reiterated Pakistan’s stance that India was involved in terrorist activities being conducted from across the Afghan border. The ex-foreign minister then highlighted Islamabad’s role as a mediator in the US-Iran war. “But there is a state — which we do not recognise as a state — that will neither be happy nor ever forget that you took this step. And those Zionist forces will and are interfering in Pakistan’s internal politics and state.” Concluding his speech, the PPP chairman emphasised the need for building consensus on “some fundamental issues” for an empowered lower house. “Even today, we are saying, come and at least begin from this house,” he said while addressing the opposition benches. ‘Threat to national security’ Addressing the house, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar explained that emergency was imposed in KP as the security situation there was becoming a threat to “national security”. Tarar noted that after the proclamation of emergency was issued, the Constitution’s Article 232 required that both houses of the parliament approve the measure. He recalled that the federal cabinet examined “material” regarding terrorism in the province during its Oct 11 meeting and then advised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to recommend the imposition of emergency. He noted that some people compared the measure to the emergency imposed by former dictator Gen Pervez Musharraf on Oct 12, 1999. The minister particularly noted “internal disturbances” and cross-border infiltrations. He contended that the situation since Oct 15, 2025, when Sohail Afridi’s government came into power in KP, was “turning into a threat to national security to an alarming extent”. He went on to highlight that there was a rise in terrorism in KP, especially after 2021, due to the approach of the provincial government. “Perhaps there might be foreign, diplomatic and political reasons behind it, which got inflamed due to a political party’s point of view.” Tarar stated that 2,911 incidents of terrorism took place between 2021 and 2024 in KP, but they surged to 3,787 incidents between Oct 15, 2025 and Oct 9, 2026. He criticised the KP chief minister for ignoring martyred security and police personnel, and for instead preferring to promote his political designs and make visits across the country. “Even this was announced that the federal capital will be conquered,” he said, referring to the party’s plan to hold a protest long march towards the federal capital. The PML-N leader expressed his government’s gratitude to NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq for providing a platform for dialogue between the Centre and the opposition. He reiterated the government’s stance that the PTI had the agreement draft changed multiple times, but even then backed off from it. Tarar observed that the PTI demanded the release of their party founder Imran Khan and his treatment in a private hospital despite knowing that only courts could provide such a relief. He said two days would be “remembered in the country’s democratic history with regard to misfortune and a political party”. On the emergency measure, the law minister noted that a special mechanism has been introduced for 12 districts of KP. In his remarks on the NA floor, Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai took aim at Tarar for trying to prove that terrorism was not tackled in KP. He questioned the government’s mandate in the February 2024 general elections, quipping that the opposition would “surrender” if the minister could swear that the government won those polls fairly. Achakzai alleged that the incumbent ruling coalition was formed “illegally”.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Wednesday explained before the National Assembly that emergency was imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the security situation there was becoming a threat to “national security”. The question hour session was suspended due to discussions on the imposition of emergency in KP. Unexpectedly, opposition members are sitting calmly and staging no protest. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry tabled the motion regarding the proclamation of emergency, while the law minister opened the discussion. Addressing the house, Tarar noted that after the proclamation of emergency was issued, the Constitution’s Article 232 required that both houses of the parliament approve the measure. Tarar recalled that the federal cabinet examined “material” regarding terrorism in the province during its Oct 11 meeting and then advised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to recommend the imposition of emergency. He recalled that some people compared the measure to the emergency imposed by former dictator Gen Pervez Musharraf on Oct 12, 1999. The minister particularly noted “internal disturbances” and cross-border infiltrations. He contended that the situation since Oct 15, 2025, when Sohail Afridi’s government came into power in KP, was “turning into a threat to national security to an alarming extent”. He went on to highlight that there was a rise in terrorism in KP, especially after 2021, due to the approach of the provincial government. “Perhaps there might be foreign, diplomatic and political reasons behind it, which got inflamed due to a political party’s point of view.” Tarar stated that 2,911 incidents of terrorism took place between 2021 and 2024 in KP, but they surged to 3,787 incidents between Oct 15, 2025 and Oct 9, 2026. He criticised the KP chief minister for ignoring martyred security and police personnel, and for instead preferring to promote his political designs and make visits across the country. “Even this was announced that the federal capital will be conquered,” he said, referring to the party’s plan to hold a protest long march towards the federal capital. The PML-N leader expressed his government’s gratitude to NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq for providing a platform for dialogue between the Centre and the opposition. He reiterated the government’s stance that the PTI had the agreement draft changed multiple times, but even then backed off from it. They (PTI) demanded release and shifting of its incarcerated founder Imran Khan despite knowing it that only courts could provide such relief. More to follow

SOME statements by the ruling party leaders hailing the decision to impose a state of emergency and governor’s rule in KP bring to mind the words of a political leader following the military operation in East Pakistan in 1971: “Thank God, Pakistan is saved.” In fact, that action led to the separation of the eastern wing. Indeed, comparing the two situations may not be correct. Still, such reckless action against a provincial government that holds a two-thirds majority in the assembly could provoke a combustible environment, further destabilising a country that is facing multiple challenges on both the internal and external fronts. For some time, it had been apparent that the hybrid set-up had opted for what is sometimes described as the ‘nuclear option’, as tensions between Islamabad and Peshawar heightened over the PTI’s threat to march on Islamabad. The capital was sealed off with containers, and the highways leading to the city were blocked. Hopes of ending the stand-off arose earlier this month when the government and the opposition agreed to talk. But even a marathon meeting and back-channel contacts failed to break the stalemate. Despite the blame game, it was clear the powers that be were not prepared to agree to the PTI’s major demand — a meeting with Imran Khan — or to implement the orders of the Islamabad High Court and the Supreme Court. While the differences were purely political, the government maintained that the talks broke down over the PTI provincial government’s refusal to cooperate on counterterrorism operations. Some federal ministers declared the PTI government to be an extension of the TTP. The PTI and the provincial government indeed have no clear view regarding the rising cases of terrorism in the province. Still, the party was willing to cooperate provided it was allowed to give its input in any policy. None of it was beyond resolution once the political issues were settled. According to Maulana Fazlur Rahman, who was asked to mediate at the last moment, the PTI was ready to call off its protest march if the government allowed it a meeting with its detained leader. But before his shuttle diplomacy could reach any conclusion, the government imposed a state of emergency in KP, shutting the door on any political solution. The talks seem to have been a mere cover for the crackdown. The protest march that paralysed the province, along with defiant speeches by a novice chief minister, gave the centre justification for the extreme action it took. Without a popular political base, it will not be easy to run a volatile region. In fact, the province was already under unannounced governor’s rule before the formal announcement. While the chief minister led the protest march, the chief secretary and police chief took orders from the governor and Islamabad. Some KP cabinet members and legislators were picked up without the provincial government’s permission. The governor now rules the province, and an indefinite state of emergency has been declared. The provincial government is dissolved, and the non-functional chief minister, Sohail Afridi, and some of his cabinet colleagues have been detained. Indications are that Afridi and some other local PTI leaders could be tried for their alleged involvement in the May 9 attacks and disqualified. Meanwhile, an 11-member advisory council, comprising mostly technocrats, has been installed to run the administration, overseen by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. But the real power, though, lies with the establishment. This isn’t the first time an elected provincial government has been sent packing. Still, such swe­­eping action against a government that enjo­yed a two-thirds majority in the assembly has not been seen in recent history. Without a popular political base, it will not be easy to run the administration of a highly volatile region in the midst of resurgent terrorism and a hostile border. There may have been no immediate public reaction to the government’s removal and the crackdown on its leaders, but the tension is palpable. The containers may have been removed in Islamabad, but Peshawar is now barricaded to protect government offices and installations. Educational institutions are closed, and internet services have yet to be restored in many places. The eerie lull speaks of a gathering storm. Governing a highly politicised region from Islamabad or Rawalpindi cannot deliver the desired result, and using force could fuel anger. Most concerning is that it could lead to an unholy alliance between alienated PTI workers and the TTP in troubled districts, compounding the country’s internal security challenges. A fragmented political party can pose a greater threat to internal security. It is a ticking time bomb. What happened in KP is an extension of the authoritarianism trend in the country. The removal of an elected government headed by a party that still enjoys massive popular support, not only in the province but across the country, despite continuing state persecution, will further destabilise the situation. Some federal ministers’ claims that emergency rule has saved KP, as well as Pakistan, are misplaced. The reckless action has further weakened a federal government of questionable legitimacy. Voices already say the present system cannot deliver. They are also calling for a reset of the redundant system. The fault line within the hybrid rule is widening. Emergency rule in KP seems to be the first step towards the resetting of the system — something that has repeatedly been echoed by a minister with strong ties to the establishment. That projected resetting is not meant to restore democracy but to reinforce authoritarianism. With the judiciary constrained by the 26th and 27th Amendments that were rubber-stamped by a compliant parliament, and with various laws curbing freedom of expression, the path towards greater authoritarian rule seems set. We are witnessing a transition from hybrid to hard rule. It is a perfect storm. The writer is an author and journalist. zhussain100@yahoo.com X: @hidhussain Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2026

AS the information minister on Tuesday proclaimed that the people of KP had “welcomed” the imposition of governor’s rule and emergency in the province, he seemed to be forgetting that citizens had also distributed sweets and celebrated when the late Gen Pervez Musharraf overthrew Nawaz Sharif’s government almost to the day, 27 years ago. The parallel is not exact: one was a military coup, the other a constitutional provision invoked by an elected government. Yet, the lesson holds. Public approval, however genuine, did not legitimise the removal of an elected government then, and it cannot by itself justify the removal of an elected government in KP now. If anything, the minister’s remarks are a reminder of how rarely Pakistan’s political class draws the obvious lessons from its own history. There are two official versions of why the KP government has been dismissed. On Sunday, the interior minister was far more circumspect than the information minister while providing the state’s rationale, insisting that the decision was “not political” and “only security-related”. He had been negotiating with the PTI till the eleventh hour, trying to avoid imposing governor’s rule and emergency on the province, he said. “Our issue was entirely terrorism-related, and we want[ed] to take you on board on it,” he asserted, addressing the opposition. The information minister, on the other hand, alleged the PTI had an “unholy alliance with terrorists”. Which of those two narratives, offered from the same platform, was true? If a political party was colluding with terrorists, why was the state negotiating and not making arrests based on the ‘evidence’ the information minister claimed to possess? The disconnect suggests that the government has yet to settle on a coherent justification for a decision of this gravity. Meanwhile, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has said his advisory council will take its policies from Islamabad. Why not from the people of KP, who will be most affected by them? Perhaps unwittingly, the governor has sent the clearest possible signal that KP’s mandate is being held in abeyance. What the government in the centre and the governor’s new set-up in KP need to realise is that their words are not reaching only the leaders of a rival party, but also being heard by all those who helped elect those individuals to office. If winning the confidence of the people of KP is not a priority at this stage, it ought to be. Governor’s rule is, by constitutional design, a temporary measure. The centre must say clearly how long it intends it to last, what it hopes to achieve in that time, and how the province’s elected mandate will be restored. Anything less will only confirm the impression that this was never solely about security. Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The emergency proclamation issued under Article 232 applies to all of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, not just the 12 terror-stricken districts of the province, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said on Tuesday. Addressing a press conference alongside his cabinet colleague Attaullah Tarar, the law minister said that for those 12 districts, a special mechanism had been introduced. “Under the chief executive, extra measures have been taken; a dedicated secretariat has been established which will be providing assistance to those districts,” he said. At the outset of the press briefing, the law minister noted that the province in the recent past had witnessed a hike in terrorist incidents, noting a “195 per cent” rise, with 8,600 terrorist attacks recorded in 2024-2026 compared to 2,900 in 2020-2024. Ministers blame PTI govt’s ‘non-serious attitude’ for its fate; say Centre, provinces can’t have separate counterterrorism policies He emphasised that it was essential that counterterrorism efforts taken by federal and provincial agencies be “harmonised”, adding that such an approach was standard practice globally. “All these arrangements are made to run the country in a way that people feel safe,” the law minister remarked, adding that the “non-serious” attitude of the PTI-led KP government “has now ceased to exist”. He recalled that the PTI, allegedly using government resources, “launched an onslaught on the capital”. However, at the time, the imposition of governor’s rule and emergency did not come under discussion. Describing the situation on the ground in the province, the law minister said: “The KP police were under attack, armed forces deployed in the province were under attack […] innocent people lost their lives.” “You cannot shut your eyes after receiving such reports and seeing this rise in terrorist activity,” Azam added. Recalling the events leading up to the federal government’s decision, the law minister said the government had held “constant engagement” with the provincial authorities. “Unfortunately, their response was somewhat different. Maybe their politics were more important to them than having the national interest at heart,” he said. The information minister claimed that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had “welcomed” the federal government’s move to impose governor’s rule and emergency in the province, saying the measures had given them “hope”. “Had the people of KP supported the pro-terrorist stance of the PTI government, you would have seen millions on the streets,” he said. The information minister, during the presser, reiterated that the federal government did not have a political agenda against the PTI-led provincial government; instead, it was pursuing “a unified policy on counterterrorism”. “You cannot have a government in the country that sympathises with terrorists, supports terrorism or has a policy that enables terrorists to carry out their operational actions,” he said. He questioned how one country could have two separate counterterrorism policies. “As the [law] minister explained, the framers of the constitution included these clauses (232 and 234) for a time like this,” citing a “complete breakdown” of law and order in KP. Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Treasury and opposition members in the Senate debated the governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday, with PTI’s Barrister Ali Zafar terming the development a “political crisis disguised as a security solution” while federal ministers defended the move. The Centre on Sunday imposed governor’s rule in KP and emergency in 12 of its districts, citing the PTI-led provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement” from the fight against terrorism. The proclamations now require Parliament’s approval. It was against this backdrop that National Assembly and Senate sessions were convened on Tuesday. In the Senate, PTI’s Parliamentary Leader in the Senate Barrister Ali Zafar remarked that what was happening in KP was not merely an administrative decision but a “test of Pakistan’s Constitution”. “The Constitution must be our shield in a crisis, not a casualty of the crisis. The question is: are we using the Constitution to protect Pakistan, or are we using an emergency to change the political order of Pakistan?” he said. Zafar said no political party or patriotic Pakistani wanted terrorism to flourish and that terrorism must be defeated with full strength. “But we must defeat terrorism without allowing the fight against terrorism to become a fight against constitutional democracy,” he said. Referring to the constitutional provisions related to governor’s rule and emergency, he said Article 232 was to be employed in the situation of emergency and not as a “political weapon”. Similarly, Article 234 provided for extraordinary arrangements intended for extraordinary circumstances, he added. “Their existence does not mean they could be exercised without limits. The government must demonstrate that the constitutional conditions [for emergency and governor’s rule] have genuinely been met, that the action is necessary and proportionate, and that every applicable procedure has been followed. The existence of an emergency power does not place its exercise above the Constitution,” he said. Zafar further argued that the Centre could not simply declare that a provincial government could no longer function constitutionally and treat that declaration as the end argument. The legal basis, evidence, scope and consequences must withstand scrutiny, and courts must remain free to determine legality, he asserted. “If the government’s case is that terrorism has created an extraordinary situation in particular districts, it must explain why its response extended to the entire province and what safeguards protected the rest,” he added. The PTI alleged that “this is a political crisis disguised as a security solution”, pointing to the timing of the measure that came amid heightened political tensions and a breakdown of the dialogue between the government and the opposition, including the PTI, in the Centre. “You cannot restore public confidence by making people believe that their elected mandate can be taken away in the name of security,” he said. Zafar said the issue concerned provincial autonomy, federalism, elected representation, fundamental rights and the balance between the federation and its units. “Once extraordinary powers are normalised against one political opponent, no province and no party can assume it will never be the next one. Today it may be KP; tomorrow the precedent may be used elsewhere,” he warned. Calling on the Senate not to become a “rubber stamp”, he said Parliament, which represented the federation and gave every province an equal voice, must examine legal grounds, demand evidence and scrutinise necessity and proportionality for the measures in KP. “You may control the administration, but you cannot command democratic legitimacy. You may suspend a government, issue notifications and deploy the machinery of the state, but you cannot manufacture public trust by force. “If emergency is genuinely about protecting citizens, prove it through lawful, targeted and accountable action. If it becomes an instrument to suppress an elected mandate, the damage will outlast this government,” he said. Zafar added, “The Constitution is not an obstacle to national security; it is the foundation of national security. Break that foundation in the name of protecting Pakistan, and you may win control for a day but you will weaken the state for years to come.” Leader of the Opposition in Senate Raja Nasir Abbas termed Oct 11, when emergency and governor’s rule was imposed in KP, a “black day”, ruing celebrations by the “champions of democracy over the removal of a democratic government elected with two-thirds majority”. He maintained that an agreement between the Centre and the opposition had been reached on political issues, claiming that differences arose over linking security issues with political issues. He warned that “unnecessary violence” created hatred against the state among youth and urged the immediate withdrawal of the imposition of governor’s rule and emergency, as well as the resolution of issues through dialogue. Political matters could have been resolved by giving more time to negotiations, he added. Ministers defend governor’s rule For his part, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi maintained that imposition of governor’s rule and emergency in KP was not in violation of the Constitution. “The PML-N and PPP sat together and examined every clause to ensure that no provision was violated,” he said, adding that the decision was not an easy one. He said talks between the Centre and the opposition had focused on terrorism from the first day. The minister added that the Centre had contacted the PTI leadership, including party Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan, on Oct 10, asking him to suggest amendments in the draft that was to be signed between the two sides after the talks. “Had an agreement been reached, this step would not have been taken,” he said. Naqvi said the government made six amendments in the draft, which was sent to KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who has become non-functional as the provincial chief executive following the imposition of governor’s rule. The interior minister alleged that Afridi forwarded the draft to PTI leader Murad Saeed, after which the matter was “sabotaged”. Referring to security situation in KP, he said law enforcement and security personnel were laying down their lives while the “chief minister was delivering speeches against them”. He alleged that some in the PTI were in “contact with the Taliban and the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan”, adding that evidence of this would be presented when required. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also spoke in the House, saying that the federal cabinet had “rightly decided” last week to end the process of political reconciliation with the PTI. He stressed that the PPP and PML-N had both made efforts to reach a point of understanding with the PTI. Regarding arguments that terrorism was also prevalent in Balochistan while emergency and governor’s rule were only in KP, he highlighted that the Balochistan government was “fully on board” with the Centre in fighting terrorism. “Whatever has happened is according to the law and Constitution,” he contented. Parliament approval for governor’s rule President Asif Ali Zardari had on Sunday issued proclamations of emergency and governor’s rule under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, respectively. According to Article 232, in case the president “acts on his own” — which was not the case for KP as he acted on PM Shehbaz’s advice — the proclamation of emergency is to be placed before both houses of Parliament for approval by each house within 10 days. It also empowers Parliament “to make laws for a province, or any part thereof, with respect to any matter not enumerated in the Federal Legislative List” during emergency. Meanwhile, a proclamation for governor’s rule issued under Article 234 “shall be laid before a joint sitting and shall cease to be in force at the expiration of two months, unless before the expiration of that period it has been approved by resolution of the joint sitting and may by like resolution be extended for a further period not exceeding two months at a time”. In the upper house, Senator Kamran Murtaza of the Jamiat Ulemai-i-Islam–Fazl (JUI-F) had submitted a resolution on Monday opposing the imposition of governor’s rule in KP. NA session An NA session was also held on Tuesday, but concluded without any significant development. When the session began at around 7pm, NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq administered the oath of membership to PML-N’s Malik Munir Iqbal Channar, who won the Bahawalpur polls last month held to fill the seat of his late father Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar. Lawmakers then offered prayers for late MNA Chaudhry Mahmood Bashir Virk, who died last month after a prolonged illness. As MNAs from various parties took their turns to recall the services of Virk, there was slight commotion, which prompted the speaker to urge PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan to respect the late MNA. Gohar remarked that sessions are usually adjourned after prayers for a deceased member. Referring to the governor’s rule in KP, he said the “funeral of this house was also held on Oct 11”. “We tried to give you very much in dialogue, but you (PTI) were not ready to take what we had offered,” the speaker replied, then switched off Gohar’s mic. The speaker said political discussion will not be allowed today, but tomorrow (Wednesday). PPP’s Syed Naveed Qamar also urged the PTI chairman to acknowledge the services of Virk, who had stood by the Constitution. He said the PTI could raise its issues later as well. Lawmakers then continued to pay tribute to Virk, with Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal among those who highlighted his professional life. The proceedings were then adjourned till 11am on Wednesday. PTI seeks production orders for 9 MNAs Earlier in the day, the PTI requested the NA speaker to issue production orders for its nine “detained” MNAs ahead of NA and Senate sessions on Tuesday. In a letter to NA Speaker Sadiq, Chief Whip Amir Dogar claimed that the nine MNAs were “currently detained” and requested him to issue production orders for them to enable them to attend the 30th session starting today. The lawmakers comprised Haji Imtiaz Ahmad Choudhry (ΝΑ-68), Muhammad Jamal Ahsan Khan (NA-89), Mian Ghous Muhammad (ΝΑ-170), Sanaullah Khan Mastikhel (NΑ-91), Dawar Khan Kundi (NA-43), Junaid Akbar (NA-09), Amjad Ali Khan (NA-02), Fazal Muhammad Khan (ΝΑ-25) and Adil Khan Bazai (NA-262). “As the speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, the impartiality of your esteemed office requires that production orders be issued for all detained members, irrespective of their political affiliation, to ensure that no constituency remains unrepresented during the proceedings of the House,” the letter read. It requested Sadiq to issue the production orders under Rule 108 of the 2007 Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday took the allies of the ruling PML-N into confidence on the imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying that the Centre made every effort to avoid this “extreme step”. The Centre on Sunday imposed governor’s rule in KP and emergency in 12 of its districts, citing the provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement” from the fight against terrorism. PM Shehbaz held a meeting with leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), as well as a separate huddle with a parliamentary delegation comprising representatives of PML-Q, Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) and PML-Zia. During the meeting with the MQM-P delegation led by Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, the two sides exchanged views on the country’s overall and political situation, the PM Office (PMO) said. The prime minister said the government had to take this “most difficult decision” in the interest of the people of KP. “We made every effort to avoid taking this extreme step in any way. We engaged in negotiations with an open heart, but did not receive a positive response from the other side,” he was quoted as saying. The premier noted that rising terrorist attacks in KP were targeting ordinary citizens and security forces, while the provincial government “failed to openly raise its voice against terrorist groups”. PM Shehbaz also termed the PTI’s long march a “conspiracy to destroy the country’s improving economy”. According to PMO, the MQM-P delegation assured the prime minister of its full support for the government’s decisions regarding KP. On the MQM’s side, the delegation included Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, Senator Khalida Ateeb, MNA Farooq Sattar, Syed Waseem Hussain, Aasia Ishaque Siddiqui, Javed Hanif Khan, Muhammad Moeen Aamir Pirzada, Muhammad Iqbal Khan, Hassan Sabir, Sadiq Iftikhar, Arshad Abdullah Vohra, Syed Hafizuddin, Syed Aminul Haque, Khawaja Azharul Hassan, Ahmad Saleem Siddiqui, Farhan Chishti, Nighat Shakeel Khan, Sabheen Ghoury, Rana Ansar, Sofia Saeed Shah, and Sanjay Perwani. In the second meeting with other parties, PM Shehbaz explained the reasons behind the federal government’s decision to take constitutional measures, state-run APP reported. He said the conduct of the PTI-led KP government in the province and its failure to adopt an unequivocal stance against terrorism had posed risks to Pakistan’s growing economy. The premier highlighted that the federal government had provided more than Rs800 billion to KP under the National Finance Commission (NFC) arrangements to support efforts against terrorism. However, he said, the provincial government had failed to take effective measures to strengthen the capacity of its Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and establish Safe City projects to improve its counterterrorism capabilities. According to the PM’s Office, the parliamentary delegation expressed its support for the federal government amid the prevailing situation and appreciated the prime minister’s leadership during what it described as difficult circumstances. The delegation also said the people of KP had remained deprived of adequate development in health, education and infrastructure during the PTI’s tenure in the province. It expressed confidence that, with the federal government’s cooperation, development and prosperity in KP would advance in line with other parts of the country. The delegation included BAP President and Science and Technology Minister Khalid Magsi; former Senate chairman Sadiq Sanjrani of BAP, senators Manzoor Kakar, Abdul Qadir Baloch, Dinesh Kumar and Samina Mumtaz Zehri; PML-Q President and Human Resource Development Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain; and representatives of the IPP and PML-Zia. From the government, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and PM’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah attended both meetings. ‘What other path did we have?’ Later, he addressed a parliamentary meeting of his PML-N and said, “When terrorism is spreading, sacrifices are being made day and night, and this party (PTI) is exhausting all its resources and time round the clock to create instability.” The premier emphasised that the people of KP had been wanting “projects of development and prosperity for the past 13 years”, such as schools, universities, hospitals, better law and order, and an end to corruption. However, he contended, there was “not zero, but negative attention” towards these matters, and “all attention and resources” were instead diverted towards long marches and protests. “Can any respectable society tolerate this? Even the question does not arise. So what other path did we have?” he asked, quipping if the Centre should have remained as “silent spectators”. The prime minister noted that the Centre was “compelled to make this decision” after the Oct 3 talks between the government and the opposition collapsed. Elaborating on the dialogue process, PM Shehbaz said, “There was a moment when it was set in stone that an agreement was about to be reached, all demands were settled.” He added that a consensus-based draft was ready, but the PTI team sought some more time to consult Sohail Afridi — the KP chief minister whose role now stands non-functional. “The rest is history. […] They were ordered that you have to create another May 9, even go beyond it and wreak havoc; you must not accept anything,” the premier added. He went on to recall his engagement with Jamiat Ulemai-i-Islam–Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to reduce tensions, which was followed by the Oct 11 cabinet meeting. “After all consultations and arguments, it was decided that this is the moment to save Pakistan. We must not wait any further, else everything will be set on fire and we will be left with regret.” PM Shehbaz reiterated, “We were compelled to make the decision of imposing emergency. This is no other choice because Pakistan is first.” He expressed his hope that the newly appointed KP Advisory Council, which will work under the governor, would work to improve the living conditions and safety in the province. The prime minister asserted that terrorism had been eradicated in most parts of the country several years ago, but had resurged recently. He lamented that law enforcers were being martyred daily in KP and Balochistan. “If this bloodshed is not brought to an end like it was in 2018, then the journey of development made in the past 2.5 years… this journey is continuing gradually.” “If one provincial government is not only determined to end that journey […] but that party is determined on destruction and comes to thinking that if they make progress, what will be our value; how regrettable it is.” The prime minister recalled the November 2024 protest by the PTI in Islamabad, as well as its 2014 rallies at the federal capital’s D-Chowk. “When someone is bent on ending the country’s progress, they are engaged in sit-ins, verbal abuse and allegations, instead of standing with the Centre and the armed forces and empowering the police and CTD,” he said. PM Shehbaz said even an enemy would not make the remarks made by Afridi in recent weeks. He criticised the PTI leader for not expressing sympathies with the martyrs’ families and for “not willing to say a single word” against terrorists. At the outset of his address, the premier highlighted his government’s efforts to cooperate with the PTI-led governments in KP. He recalled his meeting with former KP chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur, saying, “We told him in every way that we will cooperate with them … combatting terrorism is our shared responsibility.” He noted that he had also met with Sohail Afridi — whose role as the KP CM is currently non-functional due to governor’s rule — and asserted that the Centre tried its best to work with the KP government. At one point, the premier said International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva recently told him, “This is a new Pakistan”, as she praised the country’s economic reforms. He recalled his meetings last month with international financial institutions and stressed that praise from such independent firms for Pakistan “restored” his faith in the country’s progress.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday lamented the poor performance of the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, particularly in countering terrorism, and contended that the Centre had no other “path” but to impose governor’s rule in the province. The Centre on Sunday imposed governor’s rule in KP and emergency in 12 of its districts, citing the provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement” from the fight against terrorism. Addressing a parliamentary meeting of his PML-N on Tuesday, PM Shehbaz said, “When terrorism is spreading, sacrifices are being made day and night, and this party (PTI) is exhausting all its resources and time round the clock to create instability.” The premier emphasised that the people of KP had been wanting “projects of development and prosperity for the past 13 years”, such as schools, universities, hospitals, better law and order, and an end to corruption. However, he contended, there was “not zero, but negative attention” towards these matters, and “all attention and resources” were instead diverted towards long marches and protests. “Can any respectable society tolerate this? Even the question does not arise. So what other path did we have?” he asked, quipping if the Centre should have remained as “silent spectators”. The prime minister noted that the Centre was “compelled to make this decision” after the Oct 3 talks between the government and the opposition collapsed. Elaborating on the dialogue process, PM Shehbaz said, “There was a moment when it was set in stone that an agreement was about to be reached, all demands were settled.” He added that a consensus-based draft was ready, but the PTI team sought some more time to consult Sohail Afridi — the KP chief minister whose role now stands non-functional. “The rest is history. […] They were ordered that you have to create another May 9, even go beyond it and wreak havoc; you must not accept anything,” the premier added. He went on to recall his engagement with Jamiat Ulemai-i-Islam–Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to reduce tensions, which was followed by the Oct 11 cabinet meeting. “After all consultations and arguments, it was decided that this is the moment to save Pakistan. We must not wait any further, else everything will be set on fire and we will be left with regret.” PM Shehbaz reiterated, “We were compelled to make the decision of imposing emergency. This is no other choice because Pakistan is first.” He expressed his hope that the newly appointed KP Advisory Council, which will work under the governor, would work to improve the living conditions and safety in the province. The prime minister asserted that terrorism had been eradicated in most parts of the country several years ago, but had resurged recently. He lamented that law enforcers were being martyred daily in KP and Balochistan. “If this bloodshed is not brought to an end like it was in 2018, then the journey of development made in the past 2.5 years… this journey is continuing gradually.” “If one provincial government is not only determined to end that journey […] but that party is determined on destruction and comes to thinking that if they make progress, what will be our value; how regrettable it is.” The prime minister recalled the November 2024 protest by the PTI in Islamabad, as well as its 2014 rallies at the federal capital’s D-Chowk. “When someone is bent on ending the country’s progress, they are engaged in sit-ins, verbal abuse and allegations, instead of standing with the Centre and the armed forces and empowering the police and CTD,” he said. PM Shehbaz said even an enemy would not make the remarks made by Afridi in recent weeks. He criticised the PTI leader for not expressing sympathies with the martyrs’ families and for “not willing to say a single word” against terrorists. At the outset of his address, the premier highlighted his government’s efforts to cooperate with the PTI-led governments in KP. He recalled his meeting with former KP chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur, saying, “We told him in every way that we will cooperate with them … combatting terrorism is our shared responsibility.” He noted that he had also met with Sohail Afridi — whose role as the KP CM is currently non-functional due to governor’s rule — and asserted that the Centre tried its best to work with the KP government. At one point, the premier said International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva recently told him, “This is a new Pakistan”, as she praised the country’s economic reforms. He recalled his meetings last month with international financial institutions and stressed that praise from such independent firms for Pakistan “restored” his faith in the country’s progress. PM takes allies into confidence Earlier in the day, PM Shehbaz met with a parliamentary delegation comprising representatives of PML-Q, Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) and PML-Zia. The prime minister took the delegation into confidence regarding the situation in KP and explained the reasons behind the federal government’s decision to take constitutional measures, state-run APP reported. He said the conduct of the PTI-led KP government in the province and its failure to adopt an unequivocal stance against terrorism had posed risks to Pakistan’s growing economy. The premier highlighted that the federal government had provided more than Rs800 billion to KP under the National Finance Commission (NFC) arrangements to support efforts against terrorism. However, he said, the provincial government had failed to take effective measures to strengthen the capacity of its Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and establish Safe City projects to improve its counterterrorism capabilities. According to the PM Office, the parliamentary delegation expressed its support for the federal government amid the prevailing situation and appreciated the prime minister’s leadership during what it described as difficult circumstances. The delegation also said the people of KP had remained deprived of adequate development in health, education and infrastructure during the PTI’s tenure in the province. It expressed confidence that, with the federal government’s cooperation, development and prosperity in KP would advance in line with other parts of the country. The delegation included BAP President and Science and Technology Minister Khalid Magsi; former Senate chairman Sadiq Sanjrani of BAP, senators Manzoor Kakar, Abdul Qadir Baloch, Dinesh Kumar and Samina Mumtaz Zehri; PML-Q President and Human Resource Development Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain; and representatives of the IPP and PML-Zia. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and PM’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah also attended the meeting.

Kundi co-chairs Apex Committee meeting with Naqvi Says counterterrorism and development top priorities Vows probe i

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said on Monday that gone were the days when there would be no coordination between the Centre and the province, adding that “our policies will now come from Islamabad, not Kabul”. “Gone are the days when there was no coordination between the Centre and the province. Gone are the days when we used to fight needlessly with another province … We will have coordination with the Centre; our policies will come from Islamabad … not Kabul, Jalalabad or Kahandar. It is clear,” Kundi said at a press conference in Peshawar a day after taking the helm in KP. Kundi assumed executive control of the province after the Centre imposed governor’s rule in KP and emergency in 12 of its districts, citing security situation and alleged non-cooperation of the now non-functional provincial government. In days preceding the Centre’s move, tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led KP government had remained high, initially just over the party’s planned march to Islamabad to demand the release of its founder, Imran Khan, and later over the Centre’s accusation that its provincial government was not cooperating on counterterrorism. Federal ministers also accused the PTI’s KP government of facilitating terrorists and not taking action against them — allegations seemingly behind Kundi’s Kabul reference as Pakistan continues to raise the issue of cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan. The KP governor’s these remarks and those about about ending the lack of coordination between the province and the Centre came as he pledged enhanced support for the province’s law enforcers, who are on the frontline in the fight against terrorism. He said the new setup in the province would “not compromise on police”, pledging enhanced support and a pay raise for its law enforcers. The governor further stated that he called a meeting on security the previous day and that of the provincial apex committee earlier today. He said the Centre had “shown confidence in us” and to meet its expectations, “our first priority is the fight against terrorism”. Kundi issued a message to the army, police, Frontier Constabulary (FC) and security institutions, saying: “Our committee, this government, is standing side by side with you and will support you fully.” He said that all members of the newly-formed advisory council had today taken charge of departments assigned to them, and would share future plans. He added that during Sunday’s high-level security meeting, it had been decided that development would be the second priority of the new setup while the first would be giving whatever resources were asked for to the police and the Crime Terrorism Department. “I want to say on behalf of this government that we are by your side,” he said addressing law enforcers, adding, “Whatever weapons you want, whatever you need, we will get them to you.” Kundi stressed, “We will not compromise on our police officers and personnel. We will equip them well.” He added that yesterday, he spoke to the inspector general of police (IGP) and chief secretary, ordering that from now on, the KP police would no longer have the lowest salaries in the country. “If they are not the highest, they will at least be equal [to those of the personnel in other areas].” The governor also said that disbursements under the martyrs’ package would be increased, and the children of martyrs would be given free education. Kundi also thanked the KP public for “rejecting the circus” that had been ongoing for a few days, referring to the PTI’s long march that began on Oct 4. “I thank KP’s public that they have rejected this 13-year nuisance,” he said, referring to the PTI’s rule in the province. The governor also said that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had provided the provincial police 10 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) on behalf of the Centre. He noted that in his earlier meeting with the minister, Naqvi had assured him and the apex committee that police and security forces would be granted as much in funds as they required. “Our priority, our focus, is peace plus development,” the governor stressed. “We will work 24/7, we will deliver hope to people, to our young people, to the business community … that this is not your fight now, it is ours.” Kundi also called on young doctors who had been striking in the province, urging them to end their strike and assuring that their issues would be solved. He also addressed university staff that were protesting over salaries and employment. Additionally, he called on the business community, saying that he would work with them to solve their issues. “When there is peace here, people will come to do business and investment … and the youth will have employment,” he added. Kundi also criticised the PTI and accused it of to “fight their case” to the Centre, adding, “We will fight our case with arguments, not with abusive language.” Responding to a question, he said that work was being done on restoring internet services, and that the roads would also be opened up again in a day or two and life would return to normal. Separately, the interior minister posted about the provision of APCs on X, saying that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed the immediate transfer of the vehicles in view of the prevailing security situation in the province. “The fight against terrorism is our collective responsibility,” Naqvi said. “The federal government stands firmly with KP police and will extend every possible support to defeat terrorism and protect our people.” Earlier in the day, Naqvi held a meeting of the newly established Area Development Secretariat in KP. The ADS has established in KP districts placed under emergency to “restore law and order, safeguard the security of the citizens of Pakistan and ensure good governance and development”, according to an Oct 11 government order. In his meeting, Naqvi said that consulting the tribal elders was the “most important” at this point in the fight against the terrorism in KP. “We need to ask these (tribal) representatives about what their issues are so we can resolve them,” he said, reiterating the need to empower the KP police and law enforcement. “If we are spending Re1 in other parts of KP, we need to spend Rs3 here,” Naqvi said. Commenting on ADS, he emphasised that the federal government had established a separate secretariat to specifically deal with the problems of the 12 districts under emergency. “KP is a single province,” he clarified, rejecting the impression that the establishment of ADS was an attempt to dissociate the merged districts from the province. “We will work collectively in these 12 regions,” Naqvi said, adding that the PM was also overseeing the developments. Kundi, Naqvi chair apex committee meeting Earlier in the day, Kundi and Naqvi co-chaired a meeting of the provincial apex committee, a day after the imposition of governor’s rule and an emergency in the province. Addressing the meeting, Kundi — who is now in charge of running the province — asserted that under the new set-up, tackling terrorism would be the priority. “We can sacrifice our development, but never security,” Kundi vowed as he noted a “lack of synergy” in counterterrorism efforts in the province. “Now it will show that there is (synergy),” he said, adding that the administration will “fulfil the demands of the Counter-Terrorism Department and police”. He stressed that the administration will “work 24/7” as the federal government and the “people had put their faith in us”. “We have to show the difference,” Kundi said, adding that there was no time for holidays or weekends. He stressed that the administration was moving towards “result-oriented” actions, rather than cosmetic measures. Noting the scourge of terrorism in the province, the governor said that the “people have no freedom to live, travel and do other things” in districts such as Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and Waziristan. He called for working towards restoring freedom of movement for people in terrorism-affected districts. “People from our province also want peace, prosperity and development,” he said. Kundi expressed the hope that the new administration be remembered well. “It should be written in history that these people came and restored peace in the province,” he said. The governor added that he will hold apex committee meetings regularly. Co-chairing the meeting alongside Kundi, Naqvi remarked: “Today is the first time I can proudly say that the federal and the provincial governments are on the same page. “In the past 2.5 years, we have seen many ups and downs,” Naqvi said. The minister stated that the most difficult work was that the war against terrorism was being fought with “no backend support”. Criticising the PTI-led government, he said: “It was the [provincial] government’s job to lead the war against terrorism, but they did not do it. They kept bowing their heads only because they did not want to compromise. “But any war, no matter how many resources you have, cannot be won until the government leads it,” he stressed. “Not once, not twice; we requested them to work with us dozens of times,“ Naqvi emphasised. “One thing I will ask you to note is that this is the same force, these are the same people, but the only difference you will see is that … the same people will show you results.” He further said: “It’s not like things will change in a day; there will be difficult times. But all of us, including the governor, police, administration, and the federal government. “We have to face and defeat them together. Our intentions are pure; God will help us produce results.“ According to an official handout, the forum directed relevant institutions to ensure “coordinated, effective and decisive” steps for eradicating terrorism and establishing sustainable peace. “The forum made it clear that intelligence-based operations against terrorist activities would continue and all available resources would be utilised to improve the law and order situation,” it said, adding that the need to improve the operational capability of police and the CTD was also stressed. The body decided to provide these departments with modern equipment, necessary vehicles, effective weapons, required personnel and all other necessary resources. It was also agreed during the meeting that the resolution of problems being faced by the people, provision of basic facilities and service delivery at people’s doorstep would be ensured, the handout said. For this purpose, suggestions from the public, their needs and priorities of the local population would be considered during policymaking, it added. Kundi meets chief secretary, police chief Earlier in the day, Kundi chaired a high-level security meeting with the new chief secretary, Dr Muhammad Fakhr Alam Irfan, newly appointed Home Affairs Adviser Kifayatullah Khan, and Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed. In a post on X, Kundi said the meeting reviewed the security situation and counterterrorism efforts in KP. “Our police officers stand on the front lines of this fight, making immense sacrifices to protect our people. Their welfare, fair compensation and the future of their families must remain a priority.” He expressed his administration’s commitment to “strengthening the police and CTD and ensuring our personnel receive the support they deserve”. “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has sacrificed enough. Our priority is to protect our people and restore lasting peace,” the governor declared. Kundi also met Minister for States and Frontier Regions Amir Muqam, who called on him at the Governor House, state-run APP reported. The two leaders exchanged views on the prevailing situation in the province, with particular focus on maintaining peace, strengthening security and addressing issues affecting the lives of the people. They emphasised the need for effective measures and close cooperation to improve the law and order situation and eliminate terrorism. Kundi and Muqam contended that the people of KP had rejected the politics of chaos and confrontation, stressing that peace, stability and public welfare should remain the top priorities. They reaffirmed their commitment to extending all possible cooperation and taking practical steps to counter security challenges and promote stability in the province. A day earlier, Kundi addressed the first meeting of the KP Advisory Council — formed by the federal government after the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule — where he outlined similar directions. “We have to fast-track things. There will be zero tolerance for corruption. Things should be done in a timely manner,” he said, adding that they would have to demonstrate a clear difference from the work done by their predecessors. Sunday’s directives came after a meeting of the federal cabinet deliberated on the security situation in PTI-led KP. During the meeting, the cabinet noted the provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement from the fight against terrorism”. Subsequently, the federal government imposed emergency under Article 232 and governor’s rule under Article 234. Soon after, it also authorised the deployment of Pakistan Army troops and assets in aid of civil power in the province. On the ground, shipping containers were placed around the city of Peshawar to block several roads, with heavy police deployment. Meanwhile, federal ministers alleged that the PTI-led government in KP had a “nexus” with terrorist groups, as the Centre sought to explain that the province’s security situation necessitated the imposition of emergency there. The Centre and the PTI have been at odds over various issues, particularly on the counterterrorism policy, which was one of the main reasons behind the breakdown of their October 3 talks. The PTI has said it was being left out of security decisions concerning KP, which the Centre has denied. It also calls for reviewing the counterterrorism policy and opposes military operations. On the other hand, the Centre has been criticising the KP government’s efforts to combat terrorism in the province and objects to its stance on dialogue with the Afghan Taliban. 61 law officers removed; 27 new appointed Following the proclamation of emergency in KP, the provincial law department de-notified 61 law officers of the advocate general’s office. These included 26 additional advocates general (AGs), 31 assistant AGs and four advocates-on-record (AORs), according to a notification issued late on Sunday and seen by Dawn. Another notification, dated Oct 11, was issued to appoint 27 new law officers, including 12 additional AGs, 13 assistant AGs and two AORs. Out of these, six additional AGs, eight assistant AGs, and one AOR were stationed in Peshawar, along with an assistant AG in the Peshawar Service Tribunal. One additional AG and one assistant AG were each stationed in DI Khan, Bannu, Swat and Abbottabad. Two additional AGs and an AOR were placed in Islamabad to represent KP. The government had already de-notified then-AG Shah Faisal Uthmankhel and replaced him with a senior lawyer, Sanaullah, who was earlier serving as an additional AG representing the federal government. Additional input by Waseem Ahmad Shah

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said on Monday that the new setup in the province would “not compromise on police”, pledging enhanced support and a pay raise for its law enforcers. He was addressing a press conference in Peshawar a day after the Centre imposed governor’s rule in the province. The governor stated that he had called a security meeting on Sunday as well as a meeting of the provincial apex committee earlier today in order to assure the government that “our first priority is the war against terrorism”. He issued a message to the army, police, Frontier Constabulary (FC) and security institutions, saying: “Our committee, this government, is standing side by side with you and will support you fully.” He added that during Sunday’s high-level security meeting, it had been decided that development would be the second priority of the government, while the first would be giving whatever resources were asked for to the police and Crime Control Department (CCD). “I want to say on behalf of this government that we are by your side,” he said addressing police officers and soldiers, adding, “Whatever weapons you want, whatever you need, we will get them to you.” Kundi stressed, “We will not compromise on our police officers and personnel. We will equip them well.” He added that yesterday, he spoke to the inspector general of police (IGP) and chief secretary, ordering that from now on, the KP police would no longer have the lowest salaries: “If they are not the highest, they will at least be equal.” Kundi, Naqvi chair apex committee meeting Earlier in the day, Kundi and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi co-chaired a meeting of the provincial apex committee, a day after the imposition of governor’s rule and an emergency in the province. Addressing the meeting, Kundi — who is now in charge of running the province — asserted that under the new set-up, tackling terrorism would be the priority. “We can sacrifice our development, but never security,” Kundi vowed as he noted a “lack of synergy” in counterterrorism efforts in the province. “Now it will show that there is (synergy),” he said, adding that the administration will “fulfil the demands of the Counter-Terrorism Department and police”. He stressed that the administration will “work 24/7” as the federal government and the “people had put their faith in us”. “We have to show the difference,” Kundi said, adding that there was no time for holidays or weekends. He stressed that the administration was moving towards “result-oriented” actions, rather than cosmetic measures. Noting the scourge of terrorism in the province, the governor said that the “people have no freedom to live, travel and do other things” in districts such as Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and Waziristan. He called for working towards restoring freedom of movement for people in terrorism-affected districts. “People from our province also want peace, prosperity and development,” he said. Kundi expressed the hope that the new administration be remembered well. “It should be written in history that these people came and restored peace in the province,” he said. The governor added that he will hold apex committee meetings regularly. Co-chairing the meeting alongside Kundi, Naqvi remarked: “Today is the first time I can proudly say that the federal and the provincial governments are on the same page. “In the past 2.5 years, we have seen many ups and downs,” Naqvi said. The minister stated that the most difficult work was that the war against terrorism was being fought with “no backend support”. Criticising the PTI-led government, he said: “It was the [provincial] government’s job to lead the war against terrorism, but they did not do it. They kept bowing their heads only because they did not want to compromise. “But any war, no matter how many resources you have, cannot be won until the government leads it,” he stressed. “Not once, not twice; we requested them to work with us dozens of times,“ Naqvi emphasised. “One thing I will ask you to note is that this is the same force, these are the same people, but the only difference you will see is that … the same people will show you results.” He further said: “It’s not like things will change in a day; there will be difficult times. But all of us, including the governor, police, administration, and the federal government. “We have to face and defeat them together. Our intentions are pure; God will help us produce results.“ According to an official handout, the forum directed relevant institutions to ensure “coordinated, effective and decisive” steps for eradicating terrorism and establishing sustainable peace. “The forum made it clear that intelligence-based operations against terrorist activities would continue and all available resources would be utilised to improve the law and order situation,” it said, adding that the need to improve the operational capability of police and the CTD was also stressed. The body decided to provide these departments with modern equipment, necessary vehicles, effective weapons, required personnel and all other necessary resources. It was also agreed during the meeting that the resolution of problems being faced by the people, provision of basic facilities and service delivery at people’s doorstep would be ensured, the handout said. For this purpose, suggestions from the public, their needs and priorities of the local population would be considered during policymaking, it added. Kundi meets chief secretary, police chief Earlier in the day, Kundi chaired a high-level security meeting with the new chief secretary, Dr Muhammad Fakhr Alam Irfan, newly appointed Home Affairs Adviser Kifayatullah Khan, and Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed. In a post on X, Kundi said the meeting reviewed the security situation and counterterrorism efforts in KP. “Our police officers stand on the front lines of this fight, making immense sacrifices to protect our people. Their welfare, fair compensation and the future of their families must remain a priority.” He expressed his administration’s commitment to “strengthening the police and CTD and ensuring our personnel receive the support they deserve”. “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has sacrificed enough. Our priority is to protect our people and restore lasting peace,” the governor declared. Kundi also met Minister for States and Frontier Regions Amir Muqam, who called on him at the Governor House, state-run APP reported. The two leaders exchanged views on the prevailing situation in the province, with particular focus on maintaining peace, strengthening security and addressing issues affecting the lives of the people. They emphasised the need for effective measures and close cooperation to improve the law and order situation and eliminate terrorism. Kundi and Muqam contended that the people of KP had rejected the politics of chaos and confrontation, stressing that peace, stability and public welfare should remain the top priorities. They reaffirmed their commitment to extending all possible cooperation and taking practical steps to counter security challenges and promote stability in the province. A day earlier, Kundi addressed the first meeting of the KP Advisory Council — formed by the federal government after the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule — where he outlined similar directions. “We have to fast-track things. There will be zero tolerance for corruption. Things should be done in a timely manner,” he said, adding that they would have to demonstrate a clear difference from the work done by their predecessors. Sunday’s directives came after a meeting of the federal cabinet deliberated on the security situation in PTI-led KP. During the meeting, the cabinet noted the provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement from the fight against terrorism”. Subsequently, the federal government imposed emergency under Article 232 and the governor’s rule under Article 234. Soon after, it also authorised the deployment of Pakistan Army troops and assets in aid of civil power in the province. On the ground, shipping containers were placed around the city of Peshawar to block several roads, with heavy police deployment. Meanwhile, federal ministers alleged that the PTI-led government in KP had a “nexus” with terrorist groups, as the Centre sought to explain that the province’s security situation necessitated the imposition of emergency there. The Centre and the PTI have been at odds over various issues, particularly on the counterterrorism policy, which was one of the main reasons behind the breakdown of their October 3 talks. The PTI has said it was being left out of security decisions concerning KP, which the Centre has denied. It also calls for reviewing the counterterrorism policy and opposes military operations. On the other hand, the Centre has been criticising the KP government’s efforts to combat terrorism in the province and objects to its stance on dialogue with the Afghan Taliban. 61 law officers removed; 27 new appointed Following the proclamation of emergency in KP, the provincial law department de-notified 61 law officers of the advocate general’s office. These included 26 additional advocates general (AGs), 31 assistant AGs and four advocates-on-record (AORs), according to a notification issued late on Sunday and seen by Dawn. Another notification, dated Oct 11, was issued to appoint 27 new law officers, including 12 additional AGs, 13 assistant AGs and two AORs. Out of these, six additional AGs, eight assistant AGs, and one AOR were stationed in Peshawar, along with an assistant AG in the Peshawar Service Tribunal. One additional AG and one assistant AG were each stationed in DI Khan, Bannu, Swat and Abbottabad. Two additional AGs and an AOR were placed in Islamabad to represent KP. The government had already de-notified then-AG Shah Faisal Uthmankhel and replaced him with a senior lawyer, Sanaullah, who was earlier serving as an additional AG representing the federal government. Additional input by Waseem Ahmad Shah

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi co-chaired a meeting of the KP apex committee on Monday, a day after the imposition of the governor’s rule and emergency in the province. Addressing the meeting, Governor Kundi asserted that under the new set-up, tackling terrorism would be the priority. “We can sacrifice our development, but never security,” Kundi vowed. More to follow.

Naqvi says 'not everything will change in single day' as first time in two years Centre and province are on same page

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Sunday chaired the first meeting of the KP Advisory Council, which was formed by the federal government following the imposition of an emergency and governor’s rule in the province. At the outset of the meeting, all members of the council introduced themselves and their portfolios. Addressing the meeting, Kundi congratulated the members of the council, while noting that they would have to face many challenges. He said that they would get a briefing on the portfolios they had been assigned and would get a few days to familiarise themselves. “We have to fast-track things. There will be zero tolerance on corruption. Things should be done in a timely manner,” he said, adding that they would have to demonstrate a clear difference from the work done by their predecessors. He said that the first order of business was the law and order situation, adding that there should be no hesitation in taking inspiration from the other provinces. He said that the current situation was an “opportunity” as he called for building the province’s soft image. “If we have peace, we will get tourists and investors. My support is with you. I am available for you 24/7,” he said. Kundi then went on to read out a message for the people of the province, in which he said that due to “extraordinary circumstances”, “necessary measures” were taken under the Constitution. He said that he would refrain from levelling allegations and political rhetoric. “I have one message: peace, protection and stability have to be brought back to KP,” he said. He added that the people of KP had paid a huge price for the terrorism that plagued the province. “The time has now come to give the people of the province, who have rendered these sacrifices, the right to peace. Our fight is against terrorism. Our fight is against the ideology and network which facilitates terrorism and weakens the implementation of the law,” he said. He also said that Pakhtuns were not a cause of terrorism, but were the “biggest victims”. Therefore, the state had resolved that terrorism would be eliminated from KP and the people would be allowed to live their lives without fear. “My first priority will be protecting the peace and the people. Right now, our biggest priority is taking effective steps against terrorism. For this, the capacity of the police and the Counter Terrorism Department will be increased,” he said. He went on to say that another objective would be to cater to the people. “Mere statements are not the real test of a government, rather the service it provides to the people,” he said. Kundi said that the council would focus on healthcare, education and employment. The last objective, he said, would be to eliminate the whole ecosystem giving rise to terrorism in the province. “We cannot solve the issue by just targeting terrorists. Those facilitating and financing … must be eliminated,” he said, adding that those involved in terrorism would be dealt with according to the law. He assured the people of KP that the “extraordinary steps” taken were not meant to target a particular party or group. Kundi said that the main purpose was to ensure peace and security as he asked for their cooperation.