President Zardari Approves Emergency Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

by EditorOctober 11, 2026October 11, 202605

President Zardari Approves Emergency Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the federal government’s recommendation to impose emergency rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amid growing security concerns and tensions over the provincial government’s role in counterterrorism efforts.

The approval came on Sunday, October 11, 2026, following a federal cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The president signed the summary under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, according to an announcement shared by the President’s Office on social media.

The statement said the decision followed the federal cabinet’s recommendations, the prime minister’s advice, reports from relevant institutions regarding the law and order situation, and unsuccessful negotiations with government delegations.

Earlier, the federal cabinet reviewed the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and received a briefing on the threat posed by rising terrorist activity.

Following the meeting, the cabinet recommended that the prime minister advise the president to exercise his constitutional powers to impose emergency measures in the province.

The federal government cited concerns over the deteriorating security situation and what it described as the provincial administration’s disengagement from counterterrorism efforts as reasons for the move.

The decision comes amid heightened tensions between the federal government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led administration in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with disagreements over security policy, provincial authority and political developments.

In a related administrative move, the federal government appointed Dr Muhammad Fakhr Alam Irfan as the chief secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. An official notification stated that his appointment would take effect immediately and remain in force until further orders.

Dr Irfan, a Grade 22 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, previously served as secretary of the Power Division at the federal Ministry of Energy.

The federal government has maintained that its actions are aimed at addressing security and governance concerns in the province. However, PTI leaders have rejected the imposition of emergency rule and governor’s rule, arguing that the measures undermine provincial autonomy and the electoral mandate of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The decision has added a new dimension to the political dispute between Islamabad and the provincial administration, with constitutional authority, security policy and provincial rights at the centre of the debate.

PTI Rejects Emergency and Governor’s Rule in KP, Calls Move a ‘Grave Political Mistake’ Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has strongly opposed the federal government’s decision to impose an emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan describing the move as a “grave political mistake”. The reaction came after President Asif Ali Zardari approved the federal cabinet’s recommendations on Sunday, October 11, under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution. The federal government cited security concerns and alleged shortcomings in the provincial government’s counterterrorism efforts as reasons for the decision. The development has further intensified tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led administration in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, amid disagreements over security policy, provincial autonomy and the party’s ongoing political campaign towards Islamabad. In a statement shared on X, Gohar said PTI rejected the decision, arguing that it undermined democratic principles and the constitutional rights of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He maintained that the province’s electoral mandate must be respected and that lasting peace could not be achieved by weakening provincial autonomy or escalating tensions between the federation and the province. Gohar said his party supported efforts to eliminate terrorism but warned that counterterrorism measures should not be used to restrict public opinion, pursue political objectives or undermine constitutional powers. He stressed that defeating militancy required national unity and a coordinated strategy rather than political confrontation. “Provinces cannot be weakened to strengthen the federation,” Gohar said, calling for constitutional supremacy, political dialogue and practical measures to address the country’s challenges. The PTI chairman pledged to challenge the decision through constitutional, legal and democratic forums to protect the province’s electoral mandate, autonomy and democratic rights. He also urged the federal government to reconsider its decision, saying a reversal within the coming days would demonstrate political wisdom rather than weakness. According to Gohar, continuing with the measures could create further political and economic difficulties and damage the democratic process. Separately, senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser also condemned the imposition of emergency measures and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In a post on X, Qaiser said PTI had consistently opposed terrorism and questioned the federal government’s approach to addressing the province’s security challenges. He called for the implementation of a unanimous resolution adopted by a peace jirga, saying it had received support from political parties. Qaiser argued that the rights and constitutional powers of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should not be disregarded in decisions of national importance. The PTI leader urged political parties to raise their voices in support of the province’s rights and vowed that his party would continue its constitutional and democratic struggle against the measures. Meanwhile, the federal government has maintained that its decision was prompted by security concerns and the need to address the deteriorating situation in the province. The opposing positions highlight the growing political dispute over how security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should be handled while preserving constitutional and democratic principles.

President Zardari Approves Emergency Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

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