PM blames PTI’s ‘recalcitrance’ for governor’s rule in KP

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) ‘recalcitrance’ left the government with no choice but to impose emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Addressing a parliamentary meeting of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Islamabad, he said the move had been made under compulsion following the breakdown of negotiations with the PTI, as the state could not afford further uncertainty and instability.

Shehbaz said his government had made every possible effort over the past two-and-a-half years to work with the PTI-led provincial administration, adding that combating terrorism was a shared responsibility.

He said he had held several meetings with former chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur and had assured him that the federal government was willing to work with the provincial administration to advance development and address the province’s problems.

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

Shehbaz said he had also met former chief minister Sohail Afridi.

PM accuses PTI of undermining negotiations

The prime minister alleged that the negotiations repeatedly ran into difficulties, claiming that the draft agreement was changed several times and the process was ultimately sabotaged after a consensus had been reached.

He described the situation as a “now or never” moment for the government, saying it had been left with no option but to impose governor’s rule.

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 the president’s approval on the prime minister’s advice. The move effectively suspended the PTI-led provincial government and transferred its powers to Governor Faisal Karim Kundi.

The government has justified the decision by citing worsening security in the province and accusing the provincial administration of failing to cooperate adequately in counterterrorism efforts. The PTI has rejected the move, describing it as politically motivated and vowing to challenge it.

Following the imposition of the measures, Afridi and several provincial officials were taken into preventive custody. Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati was also among the provincial leaders reported to have been detained

Shehbaz highlights sacrifices in fight against terrorism

The prime minister described Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a beautiful province whose people were brave and had made immense sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.

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.

Shehbaz alleged that militants had been allowed to return to Swat during the PTI’s tenure in the province and given freedom to operate. He said the provincial leadership had a responsibility to cooperate with the federal government and security forces to prevent the resurgence of militancy.

The prime minister said the federal government stood alongside the security forces in the fight against terrorism and wanted to ensure peace, stability and development for the people of KP.

He also criticised the PTI’s political approach, accusing the party of pursuing a course that could lead to destruction and disorder. He said no civilised society could allow chaos and unrest to prevail.

PM promises development, better public services

Shehbaz said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been waiting for development and prosperity for 13 years, adding that his government wanted to improve access to healthcare and education and create opportunities for the province’s residents.

He said the government would serve the province with commitment and work towards freeing the Pakistani people from the burden of debt.

The prime minister also referred to his recent meetings with international investors in London, describing them as productive and expressing hope that such engagements would help attract investment and support economic development.

He thanked the participants for attending the meeting and reiterated that the federal government wanted to restore stability, eliminate terrorism and unemployment, and improve the lives of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.