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Pakistan Cabinet Recommends Emergency Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Pakistan’s federal cabinet has recommended using constitutional powers to bring emergency rule to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The president would need to act on that recommendation for the measure to take effect.
The federal government says security problems have become much worse and that cooperation with the province has broken down.
It says the province will still have another chance to work with the centre on fighting terrorism.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s chief minister, Sohail Afridi, has challenged the federal government to formally announce the move.
He also told provincial officials not to follow orders from Islamabad that he believes are illegal.
The PTI party committee rejected the federal declaration.
The cabinet’s recommendation does not, by itself, mean the rule has already been imposed.
Pakistan’s Federal Cabinet unanimously recommended that President Asif Ali Zardari invoke Articles 232 and 234.
The recommendation could enable emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but the province will get another chance to cooperate on counterterrorism.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif led the cabinet session amid political tensions and a breakdown in coordination with the PTI-led provincial government.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi cited worsening law and order; intelligence files reportedly showed a 195% rise in regional terrorist activity since March 2024.
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi challenged the centre and said he had directed provincial officials to disregard orders he considers unconstitutional or illegal.
- Who
- Pakistan’s Federal Cabinet, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
- What
- The cabinet unanimously recommended invoking constitutional provisions that could allow emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
- Where
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
- When
- During a Sunday morning cabinet session; the article gives no calendar date.
- Why
- The federal government cited deteriorating law and order, rising terrorist activity, and poor counterterrorism coordination with the provincial government.
Federal Government
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Leadership
Need for emergency powers
Federal Government
The federal government argues that worsening law and order and increased terrorist activity justify invoking emergency powers.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Leadership
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi challenged the centre to formally announce emergency or governor’s rule and said provincial officials should disregard orders he considers unconstitutional or illegal.
Counterterrorism cooperation
Federal Government
The centre accuses the provincial government of distancing itself from national anti-terror efforts and says coordination has broken down.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Leadership
The provincial leadership rejects the federal declaration; the article does not provide a detailed account of its response to the specific coordination accusations.
Key facts
- Constitutional provisions
- Articles 232 and 234
- Recommendation
- Unanimously approved by the Federal Cabinet and sent to President Asif Ali Zardari
- Province affected
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Reported change in terrorist activity
- Intelligence files reviewed at the session reportedly indicated a 195% increase since March 2024
- Federal position
- Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said there was no room left to avoid invoking emergency powers
- Provincial response
- Sohail Afridi challenged the centre and instructed provincial officials to ignore orders he considers unconstitutional or illegal
Quotes
Sohail Afridi
Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
“If you have the courage, openly announce an emergency or governor’s rule.”
wionews.com
Sources
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