KP governor rule lacks constitutional basis: Advocate General KP

WEB DESK: The Advocate General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shah Faisal Utmankhel , has stated that there is currently no constitutional or legal justification for imposing governor rule in the province. Speaking to the media, he emphasised that all institutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are functioning within their constitutional limits, and the provincial government is managing affairs effectively.

He added that no summary or recommendation for governor rule has been sent from the provincial governor’s office to the President of Pakistan. “There is no emergency or constitutional ground to justify such a step, especially when the province is economically stable,” Utmankhel said.

The Advocate General also warned that any attempt to impose governor rule without proper legal backing would be challenged in the High Court and Supreme Court. His remarks come amid discussions about potential federal intervention in the province, highlighting the need to respect constitutional processes and the autonomy of provincial institutions.

Earlier today, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi had warned that the federal government may consider imposing governor rule if the provincial administration fails to manage governance and security effectively. He stressed that governor rule is a constitutional option of last resort and urged the provincial government, led by KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and his emergency-formed cabinet, to work closely with federal authorities. Highlighting challenges faced by under-resourced police and ongoing militant threats, Kundi welcomed Afridi’s decision to attend the December 4 NFC meeting as a step toward better coordination. He said that improved provincial performance could prevent federal intervention, which remains undesirable.