PM Shehbaz Sharif defends emergency rule in KP

GUJRANWALA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has defended the federal government’s decision to impose emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying the Centre was compelled to act because of the provincial government’s alleged lack of cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.

Speaking during a visit to Gujranwala on Saturday, the prime minister said the federal government had made repeated attempts to resolve its differences with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership through negotiations. However, he maintained that these efforts failed to produce a lasting agreement.

Shehbaz Sharif visited the residence of Rashid Bashir Virk to offer condolences over the death of his father, former member of the National Assembly Mahmood Bashir Virk. During the visit, he also recalled the late lawmaker’s contributions and discussed the political and security situation in the country.

The prime minister said the government had made a final effort to reach an understanding with the opposition. He referred to negotiations involving representatives of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the federal government, which continued for several hours over two days.

According to Shehbaz Sharif, the discussions were aimed at resolving the outstanding issues, and a draft agreement had been prepared under which the PTI was expected to call off its proposed long march towards Islamabad. However, the talks held on October 3 ended without an agreement.

The premier also recalled his meetings with former KP chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur and incumbent chief minister Sohail Afridi. He said he had repeatedly assured the provincial leadership that the federal government was ready to support Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in addressing its development needs and security challenges.

Shehbaz Sharif maintained that he had offered cooperation in decisions concerning provincial administration, financial resources and other requirements. He said the Centre wanted to work with the provincial government to combat terrorism and improve conditions for residents.

However, the prime minister expressed concern over continued militant attacks and the loss of lives among security personnel. He said soldiers, officers and law enforcement personnel were making sacrifices to protect the country, arguing that the security situation required coordinated action from all levels of government.

He also criticised the PTI’s protest strategy, recalling the party’s sit-ins in Islamabad in 2014 and its November 2024 demonstration. He alleged that repeated protests and political confrontations had disrupted normal life and created further challenges for the country.

The prime minister further alleged that the PTI’s latest mobilisation carried the risk of violence, although he did not provide additional details to substantiate the claim.

The federal government imposed emergency and governor’s rule in KP on October 11, citing what it described as the provincial administration’s lack of engagement in counterterrorism efforts. Parliament subsequently endorsed the decisions amid strong opposition protests.