President Zardari Approves Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, following a federal cabinet meeting focused on the province’s security situation.
According to the President’s Secretariat, Zardari signed the summary under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution on Sunday, October 11, 2026.
The decision followed a federal cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during which members reviewed the law and order situation in the province and discussed concerns about counterterrorism efforts.
The federal government accused members of the provincial administration of failing to remain adequately engaged in efforts to combat terrorism. Islamabad has also criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s approach to security policy.
However, the provincial administration has maintained that it should have a role in decisions affecting the security of the province.
The development comes amid heightened political tensions between the federal government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial administration.
At the same time, a PTI protest march is heading towards Islamabad, with participants demanding the release of former prime minister Imran Khan, who remains in prison.
The latest decision also follows a meeting between President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday, during which the two leaders discussed the country’s political and security situation, particularly the deteriorating law and order conditions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The imposition of governor’s rule marks a significant development in relations between the federal government and the provincial administration, with security concerns, counterterrorism policy and provincial authority at the centre of the dispute.
