Sealed Hall, Loud Voices: NDM Defies Ban to Protest Governor's Rule
National Democratic Movement holds All Parties Conference outside sealed hall in Miran Shah to demand an end to Governor's Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In a dramatic display of defiance, the National Democratic Movement (NDM) carried out its NDM All Parties Conference in Miran Shah, North Waziristan, despite the local administration's attempts to shut it down. On Thursday, organizers were forced to move their gathering outside after police and local authorities sealed the party's Jirga Hall, turning a scheduled meeting into a public protest against the federal government's grip on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Protest Sparked by 'Emergency Measures'
The conference, chaired by NDM Central Culture Secretary Numan Wazir, was convened to voice strong opposition to the imposition of Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This move, enacted by the federal government on October 11, 2026, was purportedly carried out under Articles 232 and 234 of Pakistan’s 1973 Constitution.
Beyond the Governor's Rule, the NDM is railing against the enforcement of emergency measures across 12 districts. The movement views these actions not as administrative necessities, but as a direct assault on federal democracy and provincial autonomy.
The Battle Against 'Parallel Governance'
A central point of contention for the NDM is the creation of new administrative bodies that they claim bypass elected officials. The resolution adopted during the conference specifically condemned the establishment of:
- An Advisory Council
- An Area Representative Development Council (ARDC)
- A separate Area Development Secretariat for 12 districts
The NDM alleges that these structures are "parallel" systems designed to undermine the democratic mandate of the people. By placing power in the hands of unelected members, the movement argues that the federal government is attempting to divide Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and reimpose centralized control over merged districts.
Broken Promises of the 25th Amendment
The conference participants highlighted the history of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), which were merged into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the 25th Constitutional Amendment. The NDM reminded the public that this merger was promised to bring:
- An end to constitutional deprivation
- The abolition of the colonial-era Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR)
- Equal citizenship and fundamental rights
- Access to justice and socioeconomic development
However, the NDM maintains that these commitments remain unfulfilled. They argue that the new ARDC and separate secretariat have only worsened the political and economic deprivation of the merged districts, potentially compromising local control over resources.
Demands for Restoration and Justice
The resolution passed at the Miran Shah gathering was clear and uncompromising. The NDM is demanding the immediate termination of Governor’s Rule and the restoration of the elected provincial government.
Furthermore, the movement called for the dissolution of all parallel councils and the reinstatement of the province's full constitutional, administrative, and financial powers over all districts, including the merged areas.
Condemning 'Oppressive' Security Laws
The NDM also turned its focus toward the security situation, condemning measures they described as oppressive. The resolution specifically targeted:
- The "Action in Aid of Civil Power"
- Arbitrary arrests and collective punishment
- The denial of fair legal proceedings
The movement is calling for the immediate repeal of "Action in Aid of Civil Power" and demanding that all security operations be brought under effective civilian oversight and the rule of law. The resolution concluded with a call for the timely allocation of funds and the dignified resettlement and rehabilitation of residents in the merged districts.