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Pakistan Suspends Imran Khan’s Party Government, Imposes Emergency Rule in KP
Lahore: Pakistan has imposed emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, suspending the provincial government led by former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The decision comes amid escalating political tensions and preparations for a PTI march towards Islamabad demanding Khan’s release from prison.
President Asif Ali Zardari approved the federal cabinet’s recommendations on Sunday, October 11, following a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The move places the northwestern province under greater federal control as the political confrontation between the government and PTI intensifies.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the federal cabinet reviewed the security situation and accused the provincial government of deliberately disengaging from counterterrorism efforts.
The emergency was invoked under Articles 232 and 234 of Pakistan’s Constitution, which deal with emergency provisions and the breakdown of constitutional machinery in a province. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the governor would assume responsibility with the assistance of an advisory council. The arrangement is initially expected to remain in place for six months.
The federal government has also authorised the deployment of army personnel and assets in the province to support civil authorities and protect public infrastructure.
The development comes as PTI supporters prepare for a march to Pakistan’s capital, demanding the release of Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned since 2023. The party has continued to mobilise supporters despite restrictions and security measures introduced ahead of the planned demonstration.
The federal government has said it will not allow the march to enter Islamabad and has strengthened security along key routes. Shipping containers have been used to block access points to the capital.
PTI has strongly criticised the federal government’s decision. Party spokesperson and Khan aide Zulfikar Bukhari described the move as a coup disguised as an emergency, warning it could lead to further instability and violence.
The suspension of the provincial government marks a significant escalation in Pakistan’s political crisis, raising fresh questions about provincial autonomy, security policy and the confrontation between the ruling coalition and Khan’s party.
