Achakzai slams centre over KP governor’s rule

National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai has strongly criticised the federal government’s decision to impose emergency measures and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, accusing it of applying different standards to provinces facing security challenges.

Speaking to the media outside Parliament House on Monday, Achakzai questioned why similar measures had not been taken in Balochistan, where he claimed the state had limited control over large areas. He alleged that the federal government was treating the two provinces differently because Balochistan’s chief minister enjoyed its support.

The federal government imposed a state of emergency in 12 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday and placed the province under governor’s rule. The decision followed allegations that the provincial government had deliberately disengaged from efforts to combat terrorism.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the federal cabinet meeting that approved the measures. He expressed concern over the killing of civilians, police personnel, security officials, women and children in terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Rejecting the federal government’s decision, Achakzai described the move as an attack on the Constitution and democratic principles. He called on political parties and other sections of society to unite against the measures, saying their response should be peaceful and democratic.

Achakzai said opposition parties would be urged to launch a democratic movement against the decision from Tuesday in areas where they held influence. He stressed that the opposition would not resort to violence or damage public property.

He also defended suspended Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, saying his demand was for access to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan and proper medical treatment for the incarcerated former prime minister.

Achakzai reiterated that opposition leaders wanted permission to meet Imran and offered assurances that they would not disclose details of their conversations. They would only inform the public about his health, he said.

Despite his criticism of the government, Achakzai maintained that the opposition remained open to negotiations. However, he made it clear that political engagement would not mean abandoning its campaign against what he described as the existing system.

Responding to criticism that he was unwilling to meet government representatives, Achakzai said he had no objection to dialogue but would not attend meetings at the Prime Minister’s House, the Prime Minister’s Office or the National Assembly speaker’s chamber. He said he was willing to meet at a private residence instead.

Achakzai also invited political parties to participate in a proposed all-parties conference to discuss the country’s political direction and the way forward amid growing tensions between the government and opposition.

The dispute over governor’s rule has added another layer of confrontation between the federal government and PTI, which had planned a march towards Islamabad to demand Imran Khan’s release. The latest developments have intensified the political debate over provincial autonomy, constitutional authority and the government’s response to the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.