PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN / RankWire.AI / – Pakistan has declared emergency measures and imposed governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following President Asif Ali Zardari’s approval of federal recommendations on Sunday. This decision strips the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led provincial administration of control over government functions. The federal cabinet, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, convened to endorse the move, citing concerns over security and disagreements surrounding counterterrorism coordination. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, sharing a border with Afghanistan, has experienced numerous militant attacks.
The implementation of these measures is based on Articles 232 and 234 of Pakistan’s Constitution. Article 232 pertains to emergency powers in response to serious threats to national or regional security, while Article 234 permits federal intervention if a provincial government cannot operate in accordance with constitutional provisions. Under governor’s rule, authority shifts from the provincial government to the governor, following the constitutional framework. Parliament can also assume powers normally exercised by the provincial assembly, although courts remain unaffected by these transferred authorities.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has now assumed control of the province, supported by an 11-member advisory council. The council held its inaugural meeting after the emergency declaration. Members have been assigned portfolios covering home affairs, law, finance, industry, health, and education. Additionally, the federal government appointed Dr Muhammad Fakhr Alam as the new chief secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Kundi has called on residents to abide by the law and avoid violence or rioting during this political transition.
Deployment of Military Forces Authorized Under Article 245
The federal authorities also authorized the deployment of army troops and military resources to assist civilian officials in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as per the order issued by the Interior Ministry under Article 245 of the Constitution. The military presence aims to safeguard lives, property, and government facilities during the state of emergency. Kundi will coordinate troop and resource requirements with the Military Operations Directorate at the General Headquarters. Meanwhile, police and other security agencies have increased their presence around critical government buildings in Peshawar.
This move follows months of mounting tensions between the federal government and PTI over security policies and political demands. Negotiations between the two sides broke down in early October, after which PTI supporters organized a protest march demanding the release of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. Khan has been detained since August 2023 and faces multiple criminal cases, which PTI dismisses and condemns federal intervention.
PTI Condemns Federal Actions and Challenges Provincial Autonomy
Leaders of PTI strongly criticized both the emergency measures and the imposition of governor’s rule, arguing that such steps undermine the elected authority of the province. Party chairman Gohar Ali Khan stated that weakening provincial autonomy would not bring peace. Zulfiqar Bukhari, a senior PTI official, also voiced opposition to the removal of the provincial administration. Prior to the decision, then-Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had publicly opposed any form of emergency or governor’s rule. PTI also disputes the federal government’s criticism of its counterterrorism efforts, asserting it lacked sufficient involvement in security decisions.
The federal government maintains that the decision was made following cabinet approval, the prime minister’s advice, and law and order reports. President Zardari signed the recommendation after the cabinet meeting chaired by Sharif. Authorities have linked the intervention to security concerns and the breakdown of negotiations with PTI. The deployment of the army is tied to the emergency and the governor’s rule declaration. Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be governed by Governor Kundi and his advisory council, tasked with managing the province’s affairs.