ISLAMABAD (MNN); Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been briefed on the country’s internal situation, particularly the worsening security and political situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, following his return to Pakistan, as the federal government considers various constitutional and legal options to deal with developments in the province, including emergency and Governor’s Rule.
According to sources, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry met the prime minister at an airbase upon his return and briefed him on the overall law-and-order situation, with particular focus on KP.
Following the meeting at the airbase, two separate high-level meetings were held at the Prime Minister’s House to review the country’s overall security and political situation, including developments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Sources said the consultations chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz were attended by senior military officials, high-ranking security officials and his close aides. The meetings reviewed the security situation in KP, the provincial government’s position, possible future steps by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and the political and law-and-order situation in the province.
According to the sources, the federal government has also conveyed a message to the KP government urging it not to bring the planned PTI long march towards Islamabad. The provincial government was reportedly warned that if its course of action did not change, the Centre could be compelled to exercise its constitutional powers.
Various legal and constitutional options were placed before the prime minister, including the imposition of emergency and Governor’s Rule, along with other constitutional measures.
Sources said Prime Minister Shehbaz decided that all stakeholders would be taken into confidence before any final decision concerning KP is made. He was also briefed about back-channel contacts with PTI leadership, while the province’s political situation and possible future developments were discussed.
The federal government, according to sources, will continue assessing the next steps of the KP government and PTI before determining a legal and constitutional course of action according to the situation.
Against this backdrop, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the government was seriously considering imposing an emergency in KP under Article 232 of the Constitution, citing the deteriorating security situation and what he described as the provincial government’s failure to effectively curb terrorism.
Speaking to journalists at Parliament House on Wednesday, Chaudhry said terrorism had increased rapidly in the province and that people and personnel responsible for maintaining law and order were losing their lives.
“The federal government is seriously considering the imposition of emergency in KP,” he said, adding that the decision was not being considered because of political differences with PTI.
Chaudhry said the federal government was prepared to bear any political consequences arising from such a decision, saying the larger objective was to address the deteriorating security situation.
He alleged that the KP government had become an obstacle to federal efforts to combat terrorism and maintain law and order. Comparing the situation with Balochistan, he said terrorism also existed there but the provincial chief minister was taking measures to counter it.
The minister said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had consistently opposed terrorism and would cooperate with the federal government if an emergency were imposed in KP.
PTI Opposes Emergency, Governor’s Rule
The discussion over constitutional measures has intensified amid political tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led KP administration and ahead of PTI’s planned October 4 long march towards Islamabad. The party had initially announced the march for September 27 but later postponed it.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan opposed any move to impose emergency or Governor’s Rule in KP, saying the response to the planned march should be political engagement rather than constitutional measures.
Speaking to the media at Parliament House, Gohar said PTI wanted the October 4 march to remain peaceful and political.
“The response to the long march should not be the imposition of Governor’s Rule but rather political engagement with PTI founder Imran Khan,” he said.
Gohar said political problems could be addressed through meetings with Imran Khan and ensuring justice. He maintained that the October 4 long march would proceed as planned.
Regarding KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, the PTI chairman said the march was directed towards Islamabad and that Afridi continued to have the support of Imran Khan and the party.
KP Information Minister Shafi Jan said in a post on X that the long march would begin from southern KP on October 4 and would be led by Chief Minister Afridi.
Afridi Expresses Displeasure Over March Preparations
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has also expressed displeasure over what he described as insufficient interest among some PTI lawmakers in preparations for the October 4 march, according to party sources.
Afridi made the remarks while chairing a meeting of PTI’s parliamentary party at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar. Some lawmakers attended the meeting through Zoom instead of appearing in person.
“We also have Mir Jafars and Mir Sadiqs within our ranks,” Afridi said, according to the sources.
The chief minister reiterated that PTI would depart from Peshawar for Islamabad on October 4, saying the objective was not to “conquer Islamabad” and alleging that the federal government was blocking the party’s way.
Responding to allegations that protesters could carry sticks or slingshots, Afridi said: “We will go with two hands and two feet.”
Later, in a post on X, Afridi said: “You should prepare; I am ready.”
Meanwhile, PTI KP President Junaid Akbar directed lawmakers and party leaders currently outside the country to return to Pakistan ahead of the march. He said MPAs, MNAs and party leaders who were not in Pakistan on October 4 would have no connection with PTI and could form another party if they wished.
Governor’s Rule Debate
The possibility of Governor’s Rule in KP has remained a major point of political contention. Federal officials have cited constitutional provisions and security concerns while discussing possible measures amid the planned march.
On September 21, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the government was consulting the Law Ministry on legal options, including Governor’s Rule, if PTI proceeded with the march. Two days later, however, Information Minister Atta Tarar said the federal government had no plan to impose Governor’s Rule or remove the PTI-led provincial administration.
The federal government has repeatedly urged PTI to abandon the march, saying Islamabad could not be shut down and that disruption of law and order, traffic and economic activity would not be allowed.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has called for dialogue, saying a route that could be opened through talks could not be opened through a march.
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has also urged the provincial government to reconsider the protest, saying the “ground reality” was not in its favour.
Meanwhile, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said a PPP delegation led by Senator Naveed Qamar would meet National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq to discuss legislative matters in view of the prevailing circumstances.
