Tariq Fazal Chaudhry says federal govt 'seriously considering' imposition of state of emergency in KP

AI Summary

Pakistan’s federal government is considering imposing an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, citing the provincial government’s response to terrorism and worsening law and order. The threat comes amid a political standoff with the PTI over its planned march on Islamabad and demands for the release of Imran Khan.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said on Wednesday that the federal government was “seriously considering” imposing an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The government has threatened to send the PTI government in KP packing by imposing the governor’s rule or an emergency if the provincial leadership does not withdraw its plan to march on Islamabad on Oct 4. The march — which the PTI has announced as part of its nationwide protest to demand the release of its founder, Imran Khan — remains a major bone of contention between the government and the main opposition party, with both taking entrenched positions. Speaking to the media at Parliament House, Chaudhry said that the PPP had always fully fought against terrorism, noting that the current discussion — which the federal government was “seriously considering” — was over growing terrorism in KP. “The provincial government’s lack of interest or success in controlling it (terrorism) is the reason for which the imposition of a state of emergency under Article 232 is being discussed,” he said, adding that the PPP would cooperate in this regard. Separately, PPP Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bukhari said that if the federal government consulted the party about imposing governor’s rule in KP, the party would give its views “strictly in accordance with the Constitution and law”. According to a press release by the PPP, he called the law and order situation in the province deeply concerning. Bukhari said peaceful protest was a democratic right, but “attacking the state under the guise of politics” was unacceptable. “The government must ensure the rule of law and take effective measures to maintain peace and security,” the statement quoted Bukhari as saying. He added the PPP had always believed in dialogue and that national issues could only be resolved “through meaningful political engagement”. Regarding the invitation from the Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) for a multiparty conference, Bukhari said the matter would be considered by the PPP’s Central Executive Committee, which would take the final decision, according to the press release. The opposition had first announced its intention to hold a multiparty moot on Sept 11, with the PTI leading the initiative. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan had outlined plans to hold the conference, saying that “the current law and order situation, the economy, inflation, lawlessness, and the creation of new provinces issue” called for such measures.