PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN / RankWire.AI / – Pakistan has enacted emergency measures and implemented governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following approval from President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday. This move effectively transfers control of the provincial government from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led administration. The decision was made during a federal cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which recommended the action. The government cited the prevailing security situation and disagreements over counterterrorism coordination as reasons for the intervention. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa shares a border with Afghanistan and has experienced numerous militant attacks.
The constitutional basis for these measures lies in Articles 232 and 234 of Pakistan’s Constitution. Article 232 grants emergency powers in response to serious threats to national or regional security, while Article 234 permits federal intervention when a provincial government cannot operate according to constitutional standards. Under governor’s rule, the provincial executive authority shifts to the governor as per the constitutional framework. Additionally, Parliament can exercise powers normally held by the provincial assembly. Courts, however, remain outside the scope of these transferred authorities.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has assumed control of the province with the backing of an 11-member advisory council. This council convened its first meeting after the emergency measures took effect, with members assigned portfolios including home affairs, law, finance, industry, health, and education. The federal government also appointed Dr Muhammad Fakhr Alam as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s chief secretary. Kundi called on residents to adhere to the law and avoid violence or riots during this political transition.
Deployment of the Army Authorized Under Article 245
The federal government of Pakistan also authorized the deployment of army personnel and military resources to support civilian authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This order was issued by the Interior Ministry under Article 245 of the Constitution. The deployment aims to protect lives, property, and government installations during the emergency period. Kundi will determine troop and asset requirements in consultation with the Military Operations Directorate at General Headquarters. Security personnel, including police, have increased their presence around key government sites in Peshawar.
The move comes after months of tension between the federal government and PTI regarding security policies and political demands. Negotiations between the two sides collapsed in early October, prompting PTI supporters to continue a protest march demanding the release of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. Khan has been detained since August 2023 and faces multiple criminal cases. PTI dismisses the charges and has condemned the federal intervention.
PTI Condemns Federal Takeover in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
PTI leaders have strongly criticized the declaration of emergency and the imposition of governor’s rule, asserting that such measures undermine the province’s elected mandate. Party chairman Gohar Ali Khan stated that weakening provincial autonomy would not bring peace. Senior PTI figure Zulfiqar Bukhari also denounced the removal of the provincial administration. Prior to the decision, then-Chief Minister Sohail Afridi publicly opposed any form of emergency or governor’s rule. PTI has also challenged federal criticism of its counterterrorism strategies, claiming it was not adequately involved in security decisions.
The federal authorities have maintained that their actions followed cabinet approval, the prime minister’s advice, and reports related to law and order. President Zardari signed the recommendation after the cabinet meeting chaired by Sharif. Officials linked the intervention to ongoing security concerns and the collapse of negotiations with PTI. The army’s authorization remains tied to the proclamation of emergency and governor’s rule. Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continues to operate under Governor Kundi and the advisory council established to oversee provincial affairs.