Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday declared a state of emergency in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and suspended its provincial government, which is led by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
FAKTA
- What happened: President Zardari imposed emergency rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Articles 232 and 234 of Pakistan’s Constitution, suspending the PTI-led provincial government.
- When: Sunday, October 11, 2026 — the proclamation took effect immediately.
- Why: The federal cabinet cited a grave law-and-order situation and accused the provincial government of “deliberate disengagement from the fight against terrorism.”
- Who is affected: Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and his cabinet relinquish office; the governor takes charge of provincial affairs under federal direction.
- Context: The move came ahead of a planned PTI march on Islamabad demanding Imran Khan’s release.
Emergency Declared on Cabinet Advice
Zardari acted on the recommendation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s federal cabinet, according to a statement from the president’s office. The federal cabinet met in Islamabad on Sunday morning and reviewed the security situation in the province before advising the president to invoke emergency powers.
The presidential proclamation states that in view of rising terrorist incidents and a grave law-and-order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the lives and property of the public face serious threats. It notes that terrorist attacks on government installations, infrastructure and law-enforcement agencies have increased.
Under the proclamation, the province is placed under the authority of the governor, who represents the federal government. The chief minister, provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants and the advocate general will immediately relinquish their offices. The powers of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly will be exercised by Parliament or under its authority.
Federal Government’s Position
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi defended the decision, saying there was “no room left” to avoid an emergency because of the severe decay in law and order in the province. Federal officials accuse the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration of refusing to cooperate with the centre on counterterrorism, while the province sits on the front line of a militant insurgency.
The prime minister’s office said cabinet members took note of what it called the provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement from the fight against terrorism.”
PTI Rejects the Move
Khan’s spokesperson, Zulfiquar Bukhari, condemned the suspension of the provincial government, calling it a disguised coup. He said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was the only one with a genuine popular mandate following the February 2024 parliamentary elections, which Khan’s party says were rigged.
“Now that little bit of democracy is also gone,” Bukhari said in a statement.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi openly defied the proclamation, describing unannounced federal moves as a rebellion against the provincial mandate. He confirmed he had ordered the provincial police chief and the chief secretary to ignore any “unconstitutional or illegal orders” coming from Islamabad, and the PTI’s core committee formally rejected the emergency.
Security Measures in Place
No protests were reported against the suspension of the provincial government. Police detained several supporters of Khan’s PTI party overnight. Authorities deployed additional police and security forces in the province and Islamabad to prevent unrest.
Shipping containers placed by police along key routes in Islamabad since last month to block potential rallies have disrupted traffic and forced residents in the capital and neighboring Rawalpindi to take lengthy detours. Mobile network and data services were throttled or shut down in selected urban pockets of the province, according to reports citing telecom sector sources.
What Happens Next
The emergency proclamation takes effect immediately. The governor will perform the provincial government functions entrusted by the federal government. The PTI’s planned march on Islamabad to demand Khan’s release — he has been in jail for more than three years — now faces an uncertain path amid the heightened security measures.
Follow Watan News International for continuing coverage of this developing story.
