Federal cabinet weighs emergency in KP

Federal cabinet weighs emergency in KP

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a key meeting of the federal cabinet on Saturday, where important constitutional and administrative measures concerning the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) came under consideration.

According to sources, the meeting discussed several proposals following reports submitted by intelligence agencies about the deteriorating security situation in the province. The cabinet considered possible steps to address the growing threat of terrorism and restore stability in affected areas.

One proposal called for imposing an emergency across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Article 232 of the Constitution in view of the prevailing security challenges. Officials also discussed a separate administrative arrangement for 12 districts affected by unrest and security concerns.

Sources said another proposal envisaged placing administrative control of eight districts in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), along with Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat, Karak and Kohat, under the federal government. The proposed measures aim to strengthen the administrative response in areas facing persistent security threats.

The meeting also discussed a proposal to assign provincial chief executive powers to KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. According to sources, the governor would assume control of the province if the federal cabinet approves the proposed arrangement.

However, the proposals remained subject to the cabinet’s decision, and no formal approval was confirmed in the information available from the meeting.

Sources said the meeting received two special security reports prepared by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police and intelligence agencies. The reports highlighted an increase in terrorist attacks across the province over the past two years, describing the continuing rise in violence as a serious challenge to regional security.

The reports also raised concerns about the provincial government’s approach towards militant groups and their alleged support networks operating from Afghanistan. According to the sources, intelligence assessments criticised the provincial government’s policy, arguing that what the reports described as a soft approach towards militants had contributed to increased security risks.

The cabinet reviewed these assessments amid growing concerns about the ability of law enforcement agencies and provincial administration to contain militant activity.

The discussions focused on possible constitutional and administrative responses to the security situation, particularly in districts experiencing repeated attacks and instability.

Any decision to impose an emergency or transfer administrative authority would require the relevant constitutional and legal procedures. The final outcome of the cabinet meeting was expected to determine whether the government would proceed with any of the proposals under consideration.