Gohar warns emergency, governor’s rule will worsen situation in KP

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has warned that imposing emergency or governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would further worsen the situation, as political tensions between the federal and the provincial government intensified ahead of the party’s October 4 march on Islamabad.

Talking to the media at Parliament House, Gohar said that each passing day was important in the prevailing circumstances, stressing that a strong federation required autonomous provinces.

He said that no illegal or unconstitutional step should be taken in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and cautioned against any measure that went against the will of the people.

“If you impose emergency or governor’s rule, the situation will worsen further,” Gohar said, reiterating that the PTI’s October 4 long march would remain peaceful.

He said that such a move would effectively undermine a public mandate, adding that the PTI would continue its protest.

“We will definitely protest. The long march will be peaceful. There is no option of dissolving the assembly,” he said.

Gohar’s remarks came amid growing speculation over possible federal intervention in KP, with government officials publicly discussing constitutional options including emergency and governor’s rule.

Earlier on Wednesday, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that the federal government was “seriously considering” imposing an emergency in KP, citing the worsening security situation in the province.

The government has also warned that governor’s rule could be imposed if the PTI-led provincial government does not withdraw its plan for the October 4 march.

The possibility of such measures has been under discussion amid the escalating confrontation between the Centre and the PTI-led KP government over the planned march.

On September 29, federal ministers said governor’s rule was among the constitutional and legal options being considered, while KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also warned the provincial government against forcing the Centre to take such a step.

However, reports on Thursday said the federal government had, for the time being, held off on taking an immediate decision on emergency or governor’s rule, opting instead to give the PTI another opportunity to reconsider its October 4 protest.

The government’s position has also linked the issue to security concerns in KP.

Tariq Fazal has cited the province’s deteriorating law and order situation while discussing emergency under Article 232, although the PTI has rejected the justification and maintained that the proposed march would be peaceful.

Gohar said that the PTI wanted the federation to remain strong but argued that this required respect for provincial autonomy.

He also ruled out any plan to dissolve the KP Assembly, saying the party would continue with its political and constitutional struggle.

Regarding a reported meeting with National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Gohar said there was no meeting scheduled with the speaker and that the PTI would hold its own meeting.

The PTI has repeatedly said its October 4 march will proceed as planned.

Former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser also reiterated on Wednesday that the party would not postpone the protest, while Gohar maintained that the march would be peaceful.

The planned march was originally scheduled for September 27 but was later postponed to October 4.

The standoff has since intensified, with the federal government warning of possible constitutional measures in KP and the PTI accusing the Centre of seeking to undermine the provincial government’s mandate.