KARACHI: Sindh minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said on Monday that the Pakistan Peoples Party was the “last party” in favour of the KP governor’s rule and emergency, insisting that dialogue with the opposition had been its first course of action.
Memon, speaking to the media in Karachi, defended the federal government’s decision while stressing that the PPP had pushed for talks before backing the move.
The Centre imposed governor’s rule and emergency in KP on Oct 11, citing the provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement” from the fight against terrorism. The decision followed a mobilisation drive and protest march by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, which governed the province and sits in opposition at the Centre, to demand the release of its jailed founder, Imran Khan. The PPP, an ally of the ruling PML-N, supported the federal move, while the PTI, opposition parties and their leaders denounced it.
Not about power, says Memon
“Let me clarify; the step taken in KP was not out of greed or desire for power,” Memon said. “Had it been the case, the members of the advisory council appointed by the [KP] governor would have been political representatives or suggested by the PPP.”
He said the advisory council members had been chosen purely on merit, and framed the intervention as a security measure rather than a political one.
Memon described terrorism as the main challenge facing KP, saying it was “plaguing” the entire country. He claimed Afghan Taliban fighters were crossing into Pakistan and infiltrating the border areas of KP, calling it a “big challenge” for the state.
“And the KP government was repeatedly told to fix things, but they were unwilling,” he said.
The Balochistan comparison
Memon drew a comparison with Balochistan, which is also facing a serious security situation. He noted that questions were being raised about why governor’s rule was imposed in KP but not in Balochistan.
“If there is terrorism in Balochistan, the provincial government there is fighting against it,” he argued, adding that Balochistan’s chief minister did not have a “soft spot” for terrorists.
He alleged that former prime minister Imran Khan, and later Sohail Afridi, had insisted on dialogue with terrorists. Afridi has become non-functional as the KP chief minister following the imposition of governor’s rule.
“It was the responsibility of the KP chief minister and government to fight against terrorists,” Memon said.
KP governor’s rule: dialogue first, then the decision
Coming to his own party’s role, Memon said the PPP had tried to engage the opposition and insisted that a dialogue be held with the PTI first. The party only backed the governor’s rule, he said, “when just one person, the KP chief minister” was not willing to engage on counterterrorism and had what he called a “soft spot” for terrorists.
“When just one person… was not willing to engage on counterterrorism, the people could not be left helpless,” he said.
The remarks line up with the position PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari took a day earlier in Karachi. Speaking after visiting the Karsaz tragedy memorial on Oct 18, Bilawal defended the governor’s rule, said dialogue could end the emergency if the opposition engaged with the Centre, and called the KP chief minister a “coward” for refusing to confront militants. He added that the PPP was working towards a new National Action Plan against terrorism.
Memon also responded to Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who has been critical of the federal government over the KP decision.
“We respect him a lot but that does not mean he supports a party that has backed terrorism,” Memon said, adding that Fazlur Rehman should consider the challenges Pakistan was going through. “They [JUI-F] should help the government against terrorists, help our law enforcement agencies,” he said. The remarks fit the harder line the party has struck on militancy in recent weeks.
An opposition unconvinced
The PTI has rejected the governor’s rule as unconstitutional and politically motivated. Memon’s framing, that the PPP signed on only after dialogue failed, is meant to answer that charge directly. Whether the arrangement produces the security gains it promises will decide how long it lasts.
Frequently asked questions
When was governor’s rule imposed in KP?
The federal government imposed governor’s rule and a state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Oct 11, citing the provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement” from counterterrorism.
What is the PPP’s position on the move?
The PPP, a PML-N ally, supported the decision. Sharjeel Memon says the party backed it only after dialogue with the PTI failed, calling the PPP the “last party” in favour of the step.
Can the emergency be reversed?
PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Oct 18 that dialogue between the opposition and the Centre could bring the emergency arrangements to an end.
