Shehbaz-led cabinet weighs emergency, governor’s rule in KP

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a federal cabinet meeting on Sunday to review the security and political situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), with a particular focus on rising terrorism, governance concerns and possible constitutional measures.

The federal cabinet is expected to consider imposing an emergency or governor’s rule in the province amid growing tensions between the federal government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial administration. The discussions come as PTI’s protest march, which began on October 4, continues.

Several senior government officials attended the meeting at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad. They included Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah.

According to government sources, the cabinet may approve a proposal to be forwarded to President Asif Ali Zardari for the required constitutional approval. The proposed measures could also involve administrative changes, including the appointment of a new chief secretary and the transfer of senior provincial officials.

The latest developments followed a meeting between President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz on Saturday. Both leaders reviewed the country’s political and security situation, particularly the circumstances in KP. Sources indicated that they discussed the possibility of introducing emergency measures or imposing governor’s rule. However, the final decision rests with the federal cabinet, and no formal announcement had been made at the time of reporting.

Sources said KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi had submitted a written explanation to the prime minister outlining the grounds for the proposed emergency. The document reportedly cited the province’s deteriorating law and order situation as a reason for considering exceptional measures.

The proposal is expected to be presented before the federal cabinet for consideration. If approved, the prime minister would forward the advice to the president for the necessary action.

The federal government is also reportedly considering imposing an emergency in 12 districts of KP. These include eight merged tribal districts: Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, Bajaur, Mohmand, North Waziristan, South Waziristan and Lower South Waziristan. Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Bannu and Lakki Marwat are also included in the reported proposal.

Another option under consideration involves transferring certain provincial powers to the federal government. The proposals could also lead to changes in the provincial administration, including the replacement of the incumbent chief secretary.

Speaking informally to journalists, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi suggested that the government’s options for resolving the situation had become limited.

“What scope remains for not imposing an emergency?” he asked, indicating that the government believed it had exhausted several efforts to address the standoff.

Naqvi said the government had made extensive attempts to find a solution but now had little room left to manoeuvre.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz contacted Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to discuss the political situation and other important matters.

The prime minister congratulated Fazlur Rehman on performing Umrah and invited him to the Prime Minister’s House for a meeting. The JUI-F chief accepted the invitation.

According to sources, Fazlur Rehman favours giving political negotiations more time to help ease tensions. The PTI has also remained in contact with him as consultations continue over the situation in KP.

The discussions are expected to focus on possible ways to reduce political tensions and prevent further escalation.

Earlier, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar accused the PTI-led provincial government of neglecting public welfare, development and security while prioritising efforts to secure the release of the party’s incarcerated founder, Imran Khan.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad on Saturday, Tarar alleged that the provincial leadership had devoted insufficient attention to governance despite the PTI’s more than 13 years in power in KP.

He was accompanied by Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Information for KP Affairs Ikhtiar Wali Khan and provincial lawmaker Jalal Khan.

Targeting Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Tarar claimed that the provincial administration had focused more on political activities than addressing public grievances.

The federal government’s consideration of emergency measures comes amid an increasingly tense political environment, with the PTI continuing its protest campaign and the centre raising concerns over security and governance in the province. Any formal action, however, remains subject to the required constitutional process and official approval.