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Pakistan Imposes Emergency Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Amid Protests
Pakistan’s president declared emergency rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province in the country’s northwest.
The order gives the federal government more control over the province.
It also requires several provincial leaders to leave their jobs.
Federal officials said they acted because militant attacks and security problems were worsening.
They accused the provincial government, led by Imran Khan’s party, of not doing enough to fight terrorism.
Khan’s supporters have been marching and asking for his release and access to his doctors.
Their talks with the federal government broke down before the march began.
PTI leaders called the emergency undemocratic, while the federal government said decisive action was needed.
President Asif Ali Zardari declared an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday under constitutional Articles 232(1) and 234(1).
The proclamation gives the federal government broad authority over provincial functions; provincial officeholders named in the order must vacate their posts.
Federal officials cited rising militant attacks, deteriorating law and order, and alleged provincial inaction against terrorism.
PTI supporters began a march after talks with the federal government broke down on October 4; they demanded Imran Khan’s release and access to his doctors.
PTI chairman Gohar Ali Khan condemned the emergency as undemocratic, while Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said peaceful protests would continue and rejected military operations as a solution.
- Who
- President Asif Ali Zardari declared the emergency; it affects the PTI-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and follows protests by Imran Khan’s supporters.
- What
- Emergency rule was imposed, giving the federal government broad powers over provincial functions and requiring named provincial officeholders to vacate their posts.
- Where
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
- When
- Sunday, October 11, according to the supplied summary.
- Why
- The declaration cited rising terrorist incidents and a grave law-and-order situation; federal officials also accused the provincial government of failing to counter terrorism.
Federal Government’s Position
PTI’s Objections
Justification for emergency rule
Federal Government’s Position
Federal officials cited worsening law and order, rising militant attacks, and what they described as the provincial government’s failure or deliberate indifference in countering terrorism.
PTI’s Objections
PTI chairman Gohar Ali Khan called the emergency an alarming political mistake and an undemocratic measure, saying people would not accept actions against their rights.
Response to security problems
Federal Government’s Position
The federal cabinet recommended emergency powers, saying the gravity of the security situation required action.
PTI’s Objections
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi rejected military operations as a solution and vowed to continue peaceful protests.
Negotiations and protests
Federal Government’s Position
The federal government tied negotiations to security measures in the province and said protesters would not be allowed to enter Islamabad.
PTI’s Objections
PTI’s talks with the government broke down over access to Imran Khan before ending the protest; supporters then marched demanding his release and access to medical care.
Key facts
- President
- Asif Ali Zardari
- Province
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northwestern Pakistan
- Constitutional provisions
- Articles 232(1) and 234(1)
- Effect of proclamation
- The federal government may assume provincial functions; the declaration says powers of the provincial assembly may be exercised by Parliament or under its authority.
- Protest demands
- Supporters sought Imran Khan’s release and access to his doctors.
- Talks and march
- Talks broke down on October 4; the march began in Lakki Marwat, according to the PTI report.
- Federal funding claim
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said at least PKR 800 billion had been provided to the province over 10 years for counterterrorism and security.
Quotes
Pakistan's presidential declaration
The official proclamation declaring an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“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.”
theprint.in
“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.”
theprint.in
Sources
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