ISLAMABAD: The federal government is “seriously considering” imposing an emergency in KP (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said on Wednesday.
The government has threatened to send the PTI government in KP packing by imposing governor’s rule or an emergency if the provincial leadership does not withdraw its plan to march on Islamabad on Oct 4. The march, announced as part of a nationwide protest to demand the release of the PTI founder Imran Khan, remains a major bone of contention between the government and the main opposition party, with both sides taking entrenched positions.
Federal ministers have also cited the security situation in KP in this connection. Speaking to the media at Parliament House, Chaudhry again referred to the security situation and said the federal government was “seriously considering” the imposition of an emergency in the province.
“The provincial government’s lack of interest or success in controlling it (terrorism) is the reason for which the imposition of emergency under Article 232 is being discussed,” he said, expressing confidence that the PPP, an ally of the ruling PML-N in the Centre, would also cooperate in this regard.
PPP says it will respond within the Constitution
PPP Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bukhari said that if the federal government consulted the party about imposing governor’s rule in KP, the party would “give its views strictly in accordance with the Constitution and law”.
According to a PPP press release, Bukhari called the law and order situation in the province deeply concerning. He said peaceful protest was a democratic right, but “attacking the state under the guise of politics” was unacceptable.
“The government must ensure the rule of law and take effective measures to maintain peace and security,” the statement quoted Bukhari as saying.
He added that the PPP had always believed in dialogue and that national issues could only be resolved “through meaningful political engagement”.
On the invitation from the Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayeen-i-Pakistan for a multiparty conference, Bukhari said the matter would be considered by the PPP’s Central Executive Committee, which would take the final decision.
PTI warns of ‘non-democratic powers’
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan opposed the imposition of a state of emergency or governor’s rule in KP, saying it was “not the solution to the long march”. He warned that “non-democratic powers” would benefit if a state of emergency was imposed.
Speaking to the media at Parliament House, he reiterated that the long march would be peaceful.
What would an emergency in KP mean?
An emergency under Article 232 of the Constitution would suspend the provincial government and place the province under federal control through the governor. The Centre says it is discussing the option because of terrorism; no formal notification has been issued so far.
Why does the government cite terrorism?
Federal ministers say the KP government’s failure to control militancy has created a security crisis. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said people were being martyred in the province every day, while the PPP’s Nayyar Bukhari called the situation extremely alarming.
What is the PPP’s position on emergency in KP?
The PPP, the PML-N’s main ally, has not committed to backing the move. Its leaders say the party will give its views strictly in accordance with the Constitution and law if formally consulted.
How has the PTI responded to emergency in KP?
The PTI has rejected the idea. Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said an emergency was not the solution to the planned march and warned that undemocratic forces would gain from it. He insisted the Oct 4 long march would be peaceful.
What is the Oct 4 march about?
The PTI has announced a march on Islamabad on Oct 4 as part of a nationwide protest demanding the release of its founder, Imran Khan. The government has told the KP leadership to withdraw the plan or face governor’s rule or an emergency.
