ISLAMABAD: The federal government is “seriously considering” an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, citing what it calls a worsening security situation in the province. Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry made the announcement on Wednesday.
Talking to reporters at Parliament House, Chaudhry said the move would be made under Article 232 of the Constitution. He blamed the provincial government for failing to rein in terrorism, which he said had risen rapidly across the province.
Why the Centre Is Considering an Emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Chaudhry said the proposal stems from the KP government’s “failure to counter terrorism and maintain law and order.” He went further, claiming the provincial administration had become an obstacle to federal efforts to prevent terrorism.
The minister said people and personnel tasked with maintaining law and order were losing their lives as the security situation deteriorated.
He also drew a comparison with Balochistan. Terrorism exists there too, Chaudhry said, but the provincial chief minister is taking measures to counter it.
Political Tensions Ahead of the PTI Long March
The remarks come at a time of heightened friction between Islamabad and the KP government. PTI is preparing for a long march towards the capital on October 4, after postponing it from September 27.
The former ruling party is demanding the release of its jailed founder Imran Khan and the “restoration” of constitutional supremacy. The federal government has said the security and law-and-order situation around the planned protest remains a concern.
Chaudhry insisted that any decision on an emergency would not be driven by political differences with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). He said the government was prepared to bear any political cost for what he described as a larger objective, and ready to face whatever repercussions might follow.
PPP Support and Parliamentary Talks
The minister said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had always fought terrorism with full force and would cooperate with the government if an emergency were imposed in KP.
Chaudhry added that a PPP delegation led by Senator Naveed Qamar would meet National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on Wednesday’s following day, today. Legislative matters would be discussed in light of the prevailing circumstances, he said.
