National Assembly to consider resolution on emergency in KP amid political standoff

The National Assembly is set to consider a resolution seeking the imposition of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry expected to present the motion for approval as the federal government defends its decision to impose governor’s rule in the province.

The proposed resolution comes amid escalating tensions between the federal government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which leads the provincial administration in KP. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has blamed what he described as the PTI’s “recalcitrance” for the decision, saying the breakdown of negotiations left the government with no choice but to take action.

The federal government announced the imposition of emergency under Article 232 and governor’s rule under Article 234 of the Constitution on October 11, following approval by President Asif Ali Zardari on the prime minister’s advice.

The government cited worsening security in the province and alleged a lack of cooperation from the provincial administration in efforts to combat terrorism. The PTI, however, has rejected the move as politically motivated and vowed to challenge it.

Federal government defends decision

Addressing a parliamentary meeting of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Islamabad, PM Shehbaz said his government had made efforts over the past two-and-a-half years to work with the PTI-led provincial administration.

He said combating terrorism was a shared responsibility and maintained that the federal government had sought cooperation from provincial leaders to address security challenges and advance development in the province.

The prime minister recalled holding several meetings with former KP chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur, during which he said he had offered to work jointly with the provincial administration.

“I told Ali Amin Gandapur that we would work together and that the journey of development was shared,” PM Shehbaz said, adding that he had also stressed the need for a joint strategy to combat terrorism.

He also referred to a meeting with former chief minister Sohail Afridi as part of his account of engagement with the provincial leadership.

According to the prime minister, negotiations repeatedly encountered difficulties, with the draft agreement changed several times. He alleged that the process was ultimately derailed despite progress towards a consensus.

Describing the situation as a “now or never” moment, PM Shehbaz said the government had been left with no option but to impose governor’s rule.

Security situation remains central to dispute

PM Shehbaz argued that the security situation in KP requires cooperation between the federal and provincial governments. He said security personnel and civilians continued to lose their lives in terrorist attacks and stressed that the federal government wanted to eliminate militancy and unemployment in the province.

The prime minister described KP as a province whose people had made significant sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. He said the federal government stood alongside security forces and wanted to restore peace, stability and development.

He also alleged that militants had been allowed to return to Swat during the PTI’s tenure in the province and given freedom to operate. These remarks formed part of his criticism of the previous provincial leadership and its approach to security.

The government has maintained that the provincial administration did not cooperate adequately with federal authorities in counterterrorism efforts. The PTI has disputed the justification for the measures and opposed the imposition of governor’s rule.

The dispute over KP’s administration now centres on both the constitutional measures introduced by the federal government and the competing claims over security and governance. The National Assembly’s consideration of the proposed resolution is the next parliamentary development announced in connection with the move.