With the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party founded by jailed former cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, beginning its long march to Islamabad, the federal government is weighing the imposition of governor’s rule or even a state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), which is governed by PTI Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
Afridi launched the PTI’s long march towards Islamabad from the city of Lakki Marwat in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, on October 4 (Sunday), demanding the release of its jailed founder and ex-PM Imran Khan, according to Karachi-based daily, Dawn. Originally announced back on September 27, the march kicked off on Sunday after negotiations between the PTI and Islamabad ended in deadlock.
According to Dawn, the march, which is being led by Afridi himself, reached Karak district late on Sunday, about 256 kilometres from Islamabad. Federal authorities, who have accused the PTI of “facilitating terrorists” are now seriously considering the imposition of the governor’s rule, with Dawn, citing government sources, reporting on Monday that “the imposition of emergency is imminent”.
KP GOVERNOR WARNS OF IMPOSING EMERGENCY, MEETS INTERIOR MINISTER NAQVI
Following the start of the PTI’s long march, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi was reported by Karachi-based daily The Express Tribune as telling reporters on Sunday, “If imposing emergency becomes necessary to save the province, then we will certainly impose it.”
Kundi also warned those taking part in the march, saying, “If an emergency is imposed, I alone will be enough for them,” The Express Tribune reported, adding that PTI workers were currently “hiding and getting themselves arrested”.
Citing a statement from the Governor’s House, Dawn reported that the two leaders expressed concern that the PTI’s Islamabad march could “facilitate terrorists” in crossing security checkpoints. They added that if the president and prime minister deemed it necessary to impose governor’s rule or an emergency to “save the province from terrorism and destruction”, the Governor’s House would play its full constitutional role.
The two also discussed the growing unrest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the province’s political situation, and developments linked to the Islamabad march. The statement accused the KP government of adopting an “enmity” toward the people and the province during negotiations over counterterrorism operations.
Writing on X, Kundi noted that KP Inspector General of Police Zulfikar Hameed, and the KP Chief Secretary were also present at the meeting in Peshawar. He stated, “The security of our people remains our foremost priority. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has sacrificed enough, and every institution must work together to protect our people and defeat terrorism.”
Speaking to Dawn, an unnamed “government source” said the government was seriously considering imposing governor’s rule in KP.
