PTI warns KP emergency plan violates 18th Amendment

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has opposed reports of a proposed emergency in 12 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, calling the move a violation of the 18th Constitutional Amendment. The party warned that transferring administrative and police powers to the federal government could further deepen tensions between Islamabad and the provincial administration.

PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa spokesperson Shaukat Yousafzai said the party had never opposed efforts to combat terrorism. However, he stressed that the federal government must consult all relevant stakeholders before taking any major decision concerning the province.

Yousafzai said an all-parties conference had already produced a 15-point declaration on counterterrorism. He urged the federal government to implement the agreed proposals instead of imposing an emergency or governor’s rule. He maintained that political dialogue, rather than the use of force, was the way forward.

The PTI leader also called for the implementation of court orders, the removal of restrictions on meetings with party founder Imran Khan and his transfer to a hospital for medical treatment. He expressed concern over the arrests of provincial ministers, lawmakers and party workers, saying such actions were worsening the political crisis.

Yousafzai welcomed the possibility of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman mediating between PTI and the federal government. He said the party would support any sincere effort to bring both sides to the negotiating table.

According to reports, the federal government is considering an emergency in eight merged tribal districts and four settled districts. These include Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, Bajaur, Mohmand, North Waziristan, South Waziristan, Lower Waziristan, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Bannu and Lakki Marwat.

Sources said a high-level meeting involving President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior military officials was expected to review the proposals. The reported plan includes establishing a separate administrative structure to oversee the affected districts. The proposed arrangement could initially remain in place for two months.

Meanwhile, PTI’s protest march led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi continued towards Islamabad. Provincial Information Minister Shafi Jan said the convoy was proceeding peacefully and was scheduled to travel from Charsadda to Mardan. He claimed that large numbers of supporters were joining the march.

The political standoff intensified after negotiations between the government and PTI failed. The talks reportedly broke down over disagreements concerning security commitments and PTI’s demand for access to Imran Khan.

The federal government has repeatedly raised the possibility of emergency measures or governor’s rule, citing the deteriorating security situation. PTI, however, insists that such steps would not resolve the province’s problems and could further destabilise the political environment.

With the march continuing and discussions over federal intervention gaining momentum, pressure is mounting on both sides to find a political solution. PTI has urged the government to avoid unilateral action and resume negotiations to prevent further escalation.