Emergency Proclamation Covers All of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Says Law Minister
Pakistan’s Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has clarified that the emergency proclamation issued under Article 232 of the Constitution applies to the entire province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), rather than being limited to 12 districts affected by terrorism.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday, alongside Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, the law minister said additional arrangements had been introduced specifically for the 12 districts facing serious security challenges.
He explained that a dedicated secretariat had been established under the chief executive to coordinate support and additional measures for those areas.
Government Cites Increase in Terrorist Incidents
Azam Nazeer Tarar said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had experienced a significant increase in terrorist activity in recent years. According to figures presented by the minister, terrorist incidents rose by 195 per cent, with 8,600 attacks recorded during 2024–2026 compared with 2,900 between 2020 and 2024.
The law minister stressed the need for closer coordination between federal and provincial authorities to strengthen counterterrorism efforts.
He said aligning security policies across different levels of government was a common international practice and necessary to improve public safety.
Tarar also criticised the performance of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial government, arguing that its approach to security had contributed to concerns about the law and order situation.
Ministers Defend Federal Government’s Decision
The law minister referred to attacks targeting KP police personnel and security forces deployed in the province, as well as the loss of civilian lives.
He said the federal government could not ignore reports of rising terrorist activity and needed to respond to the security situation.
According to Tarar, the federal government had maintained contact with provincial authorities before making its decision. However, he claimed that the provincial government’s response had not adequately addressed the concerns raised by the Centre.
He also recalled earlier political tensions involving the PTI and the federal government, arguing that governor’s rule and emergency measures had not been considered at that time.
Attaullah Tarar Rejects Political Motive
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the federal government’s decision was intended to establish a coordinated national approach to counterterrorism rather than pursue a political agenda against the PTI.
He claimed that the measures had given people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa hope for improved security and said the government believed the public supported its action.
The information minister also questioned the effectiveness of having different counterterrorism approaches at the federal and provincial levels.
He argued that the constitutional provisions governing emergency measures and federal intervention were designed to address situations involving serious security and law and order challenges.
Focus on Security and Coordination
Both ministers maintained that closer cooperation between federal and provincial institutions was essential to tackling terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The clarification regarding Article 232 means the emergency proclamation covers the whole province, while the 12 identified districts will receive additional administrative support through a dedicated mechanism.
The development comes amid renewed debate over the federal government’s role in provincial affairs, security policy and the constitutional framework governing emergency measures in Pakistan.
