Pakistan weighs emergency or governor’s rule in KP

A high-level meeting is expected to take place on Saturday to discuss the possible imposition of an emergency or governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, amid rising political and security tensions in the province.

According to sources, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior military officials are expected to attend the meeting. A final decision on the situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa may be taken after consultations among the participants.

Sources said reports submitted by national security institutions would also be reviewed during the meeting. The discussions are expected to focus on the province’s security situation, administrative challenges and possible constitutional measures available to the federal government.

One proposal under consideration reportedly involves imposing an emergency in 12 districts, including areas of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) that were merged into Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Another proposal reportedly suggests that the federal government could exercise certain key powers relating to the province.

According to sources, participants may also examine constitutional provisions ranging from Article 232 to Article 234 before deciding on any proposed measures. These provisions address different constitutional situations, including emergencies and the exercise of certain powers by the federation or the president under specified circumstances.

Article 232 deals with the proclamation of an emergency in circumstances such as a threat to the security of Pakistan, while Article 233 concerns restrictions on certain fundamental rights during an emergency. Article 234 provides for a presidential proclamation in circumstances involving a failure of constitutional machinery in a province.

The reported proposals come as political tensions between the federal government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial government continue. The PTI has been pressing ahead with its march towards Islamabad, while discussions over the province’s security and relations with the federal government have intensified.

However, the meeting and the proposed measures had not been officially confirmed in the information available at the time of reporting. It also remains unclear whether the participants will reach a final decision or whether further consultations will be required before any constitutional step is taken.