Parliament’s joint sitting to take up KP emergency, governor’s rule tomorrow

ISLAMABAD: The joint sitting of Parliament sitting has been summoned for Thursday to consider the presidential proclamations concerning emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Earlier on Wednesday, the National Assembly and Senate passed resolutions endorsing the imposition of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

The joint sitting will be held at 11am on October 15, according to the agenda issued by the parliamentary secretariat.

The agenda includes the presentation of the presidential proclamation of emergency issued on October 11 under Article 232 of the Constitution, as well as a separate proclamation issued under Article 234 concerning governor’s rule in KP.

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry will lay both proclamations before the joint sitting and move separate resolutions seeking their approval.

The agenda also includes a motion to suspend certain provisions of the Parliament (Joint Sitting) Rules, 1973, concerning the notice period for moving the resolutions.

The parliamentary proceedings follow the federal government’s decision on October 11 to impose emergency and governor’s rule in the province, placing the PTI-led provincial administration under a new constitutional arrangement.

NA, Senate endorse emergency proclamation

Earlier, the National Assembly and Senate passed resolutions backing the emergency proclamation on Wednesday amid opposition protests.

The National Assembly adopted the resolution by a majority vote after more than four hours of debate. The session was marked by protests from opposition lawmakers, who opposed the federal government’s move against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial government.

The Senate also approved the resolution by a majority amid an uproar, with PTI lawmakers protesting against the measure and subsequently walking out, according to media reports.

The government maintained that the emergency had been imposed in accordance with the Constitution and was necessary to address the deteriorating security situation in the province.

Joint sitting to consider two proclamations

Government cites security concerns

Defending the decision in Parliament, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the emergency had been imposed as a last resort after the federal cabinet deliberated on the province’s security situation.

He told lawmakers that 3,787 terrorist incidents had been recorded in KP over the past year and accused the provincial government of prioritising political activities over counterterrorism efforts.

Tarar said the constitutional measure was necessary to protect the lives and property of residents, while Defence Minister Khawaja Asif argued that the rising number of terrorist attacks had left the federal government with no alternative.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal also defended the decision, saying the provincial government had failed to provide assurances regarding counterterrorism efforts.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said the government had tried to avoid imposing emergency in the province but held the PTI leadership responsible for the situation. He also called for a broader national approach to counterterrorism.

PTI rejects governor’s rule

The PTI has rejected the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule, describing the move as politically motivated and an attempt to undermine its electoral mandate in the province.

The party has argued that the federal government’s action undermines provincial autonomy and democratic governance. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has also challenged the proclamations before the Peshawar High Court.

The dispute follows weeks of heightened tensions between the federal government and the PTI over security policy, political protests and demands concerning the party’s founder, Imran Khan, who remains in prison.

The federal government has maintained that its decision is based on security concerns and the need for more effective coordination against militancy, while the PTI has rejected accusations that its provincial administration failed to address terrorism.

Under the arrangement announced by the government, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi is to oversee provincial affairs with the assistance of an 11-member advisory council.

The joint sitting on Thursday is expected to provide Parliament with an opportunity to consider the constitutional proclamations and the resolutions seeking their approval.