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Pakistan President Suspends PTI Government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Pakistan’s president suspended the elected government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province run by Imran Khan’s party.
He declared an emergency before doing so.
The president acted on advice from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after the federal cabinet approved the decision.
Sharif’s office said the provincial government had failed to fight Islamist militancy.
Pakistan’s Constitution allows the federal government to take over some or all provincial duties during an emergency.
The president’s office did not say who would now run the province or which powers would be taken over.
Khan’s party has been rallying for his release and threatening to march toward Islamabad.
PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari condemned the suspension and warned it could lead to more violence and instability.
President Asif Ali Zardari suspended Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s elected government after declaring a state of emergency.
Zardari signed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s advice after the federal cabinet approved the move.
Sharif’s office said the provincial government had failed to fight Islamist militancy.
The Constitution permits the federal government to take over some or all provincial functions during an emergency; the president’s office did not explain how the province would be administered.
PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari called the move ridiculous and warned it could bring further bloodshed and instability.
- Who
- President Asif Ali Zardari suspended the provincial government led by Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI); Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government supported the move.
- What
- The elected provincial administration was suspended after a state of emergency was declared.
- Where
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
- When
- October 11; the reports say the emergency was declared on Sunday.
- Why
- Sharif’s office cited the provincial government’s alleged failure to fight Islamist militancy; PTI denounced the decision.
Federal Government’s Rationale
PTI’s Objections
Reason for suspension
Federal Government’s Rationale
Sharif’s office said the provincial government had failed to combat Islamist militancy; Zardari acted on Sharif’s advice after a federal cabinet decision.
PTI’s Objections
PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari called the decision ridiculous and said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had the country’s only legitimately elected government.
Political consequences and negotiations
Federal Government’s Rationale
The reports provide the federal government’s security rationale but do not give its response to Bukhari’s warning or his claims about negotiations.
PTI’s Objections
Bukhari warned the move could cause bloodshed, instability and collateral damage, and said it showed the government was not genuinely seeking talks.
Key facts
- Province
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northwestern Pakistan
- President
- Asif Ali Zardari
- Prime minister
- Shehbaz Sharif
- Provincial governing party
- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)
- Federal government's stated reason
- Sharif’s office said the provincial government had failed to fight Islamist militancy.
- Constitutional provision
- During an emergency, the federal government may assume some or all provincial government functions.
- Administration arrangements
- The president’s office did not specify which powers would be taken over or how the province would be administered.
- PTI response
- Spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari called the move ridiculous and warned of bloodshed and instability.
Quotes
Zulfikar Bukhari
A close aide to Imran Khan and spokesperson for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
“This will only lead to further bloodshed, instability and collateral damage.”
theprint.in
Sources
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