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Pakistan Imposes Emergency, Stripping Khan's Party of Provincial Powers
Pakistan's president has declared an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province run by Imran Khan's party.
The federal government says the province's leaders have not done enough to stop militant attacks.
The emergency lets the federal government give some or all provincial powers to the governor.
It also means Pakistan's Parliament can exercise powers normally held by the provincial assembly.
Khan's party says the decision is unfair and could make the situation more unstable.
The decision happened while the party was protesting and asking for Khan to be released and given medical care.
Talks between the party and the federal government had not resolved their disagreement.
The federal government had also said it would not let protesters enter Islamabad.
President Asif Ali Zardari declared an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday, immediately shifting provincial powers to federal authority.
The federal government said the province's elected administration had failed to address rising terrorism and worsening law and order.
Under the declaration, the federal government may direct the governor to take over some or all provincial functions, while Parliament may exercise the provincial assembly's powers.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf called the move unjustified and warned it could cause further instability and bloodshed.
The decision came amid PTI protests demanding Imran Khan's release and medical access, after talks with the federal government failed.
- Who
- President Asif Ali Zardari, acting on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's advice, declared the emergency; the province is governed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
- What
- An emergency was declared, allowing federal authorities to assume some or all functions of the provincial government.
- Where
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
- When
- Sunday; the declaration took effect immediately.
- Why
- The federal government cited rising terrorist incidents, deteriorating law and order, and the provincial government's alleged failure to address militancy.
Federal Government's Position
PTI's Position
Need for emergency rule
Federal Government's Position
The federal government said the provincial administration had failed to act decisively against militancy and that worsening security conditions justified the emergency.
PTI's Position
PTI described the decision as ridiculous and said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had the country's only legitimately elected government.
Likely consequences
Federal Government's Position
The government presented the measure as a response to serious threats to public safety and a breakdown in the province's ability to function.
PTI's Position
PTI spokesman Zulfikar Bukhari warned that the move could lead to more bloodshed, instability, and collateral damage.
Protests and negotiations
Federal Government's Position
The federal government said protesters would not be allowed to enter Islamabad and talks broke down over the order in which the protest and a meeting with Khan should occur.
PTI's Position
PTI has been pressing for Khan's release, access to his doctors, and other demands, and said there had been room for talks.
Key facts
- Province
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- President
- Asif Ali Zardari
- Prime minister
- Shehbaz Sharif
- Provincial governing party
- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)
- Emergency status
- Effective immediately on Sunday
- Federal government's stated grounds
- Rising terrorist incidents and a grave law-and-order situation
- Protest demands
- PTI called for Imran Khan's release and access to medical care, among other demands
Quotes
Zulfikar Bukhari
A close aide to Imran Khan and PTI spokesman.
“The Cabinet recommended that the Prime Minister advise the President to exercise his constitutional authority and impose an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution of Pakistan, given the gravity of the situation.”
telegraphindia.com
“The KP government is not saying a word against militancy… It is time to take a decision as we have reached a moment of now or never.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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