Emergency Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: PM Shehbaz Claims Govt 'Compelled' to Act
PM Shehbaz Sharif claims the government was compelled to impose Governor's Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amid a clash with PTI.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has defended the federal government's decision to impose emergency rule and Governor's Rule in the opposition-led province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The Prime Minister asserted that the administration was "compelled" to take this drastic step following a complete breakdown in cooperation with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) administration, particularly regarding critical counter-terrorism operations.
A 'Last Attempt' at Diplomacy
Justifying the move to strip the elected provincial government of its powers, PM Shehbaz claimed that the federal government exhausted all diplomatic avenues before intervening. According to reports, a joint delegation consisting of members from both the ruling coalition and the opposition engaged in intensive, round-the-clock negotiations for 48 hours.
The Prime Minister revealed that a draft agreement had even been prepared, which would have required the PTI to call off its planned long march. Despite these efforts to settle matters from every angle, the negotiations failed to prevent the suspension of the provincial democratic setup.
Direct Engagement and Alleged Betrayal
PM Shehbaz highlighted his personal efforts to maintain a working relationship with the KP leadership. He noted that he had held multiple discussions with the KP Chief Minister, Sohail Afridi—who is now non-functional following the crackdown—as well as his predecessor, Ali Amin Gandapur.
The Prime Minister stated that he had personally assured the KP government of Islamabad's full support, promising that administrative, operational, and resource-based decisions would be made in direct consultation with the Chief Minister. However, Sharif complained that instead of cooperation, the federal government was met with constant threats and frequent long marches.
Invoking the Past to Justify the Present
In an attempt to frame the PTI as a disruptive force, PM Shehbaz pointed toward the party's history of protests. He described the PTI's past actions as "horrific," specifically citing the 2014 sit-ins at Islamabad’s D-Chowk during his brother Nawaz Sharif's premiership.
He further referenced the events of the previous year, alleging that the PTI had "jammed" the entire country by staging a sit-in in Islamabad, which resulted in violent confrontations between protesters and state security forces.
The Legal Framework and the Crackdown
The shift in power was formalized on Sunday, October 11, 2026, when President Asif Ali Zardari declared a state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This decree was enacted under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution of Pakistan, effectively suspending the elected administration and transferring all political and administrative control to the provincial governor.
Following the imposition of Governor's Rule, the federal regime launched a widespread crackdown on the PTI. This has included the arrest of several high-profile figures, most notably former provincial Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
International Outcry
The move has not gone unnoticed globally. The International Human Rights Foundation has strongly condemned the emergency rule, labeling it a "military-backed power grab."
In a statement shared on X, the foundation highlighted several alarming developments in the province, including:
- The deployment of troops in the streets.
- The detention of elected official Sohail Afridi.
- The implementation of an internet blockade.
The foundation has called for the immediate restoration of democratic rights within the region.