Govt set to impose governor’s rule in KP, says PM’s aide

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Coordinator for KP Affairs Ikhtiyar Wali Khan has said that the federal government is seriously considering the imposition of Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Speaking on HUM News programme “Faisal Aap ka”, Ikhtiyar Wali said that earlier such discussions were merely talk, but now the matter has progressed to a serious stage.

He said that the government would consult its coalition partners before taking any decision regarding Governor’s Rule in KP.

“Where law and order and governance deteriorate, the constitution allows for governor’s rule,” he said.

“We do not want to lose Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he said, underlining the government’s commitment to maintaining political stability in the province.

He criticised ongoing protests outside Adiala jail, saying the lives of people living along Adiala Road have been made difficult.

He said, “The programme may be called ‘your decision,’ but what about the rights of those living outside Adiala? Life has been made miserable for them.” He questioned the prolonged road closures, adding, “What kind of protest is this that blocks roads for hours and causes hardship for ordinary people?”

He clarified that no baton charge was used by police to disperse PTI leaders and workers staging a sit-in near Adial jail, saying only water cannons were used.

“The government has no involvement in the Adiala matter; it falls under the jurisdiction of local administration,” he said. He warned that if roads are blocked for long periods, the police will be forced to act.

Earlier, Ikhtiyar Wali said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is pursuing an agenda to destabilise the country and is attempting to create chaos in the name of protest.

He said that the government has begun seriously considering moving Prisoner No 804 — Imran Khan — out of Adiala jail.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad, Ikhtiyar Wali said that all doors for talks with the PTI founder had been shut, and a clear line had been drawn between “love for Pakistan” and “love for Imran.”

He said that the PTI attacked the very army that raised Pakistan’s image across the world. Referring to a recent tweet by Imran Khan, he said neither the PTI could defend it nor retract it.

He claimed the party failed to gather people for its Peshawar rally despite calling supporters from across the country, and accused PTI of using religion for politics.