Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari approved emergency rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, governed by Imran Khan’s party. The elected government’s powers were suspended and administration passes to the governor for six months. Federal authorities cite security concerns. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf disputes that justification; the decision follows demonstrations seeking Khan’s release and unsuccessful political negotiations.
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari approved emergency rule in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday. Following advice from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s cabinet, the decision suspended the elected government led by former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, PTI. The federal government invoked two constitutional articles.[1], [2]
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said an advisory council would help the governor administer the province for an initial six months. The prime minister’s office accused the provincial government of deliberately disengaging from the fight against terrorism. Tarar also cited security problems and what he described as refusal to cooperate with federal authorities. Those accusations are the federal government’s justification. PTI lawmaker Junaid Akbar said provincial Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and the party’s provincial president had been arrested.[1]
PTI has been protesting for the release of Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned for more than three years. Its planned march on Islamabad was first postponed from 27 September to 4 October. After talks with federal authorities, roads into the capital were blocked with shipping containers. PTI spokesman Zulfiqar Bukhari accused the government of having no intention to negotiate. The provincial government’s suspension occurred amid this confrontation between the party’s demands for political activity and the federal authorities’ security justification.[1]
