Opposition Demands Immediate End to KP Emergency, Governor’s Rule
ISLAMABAD: Opposition parties have demanded the immediate withdrawal of the KP emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, calling October 11 a “black day” in Pakistan’s democratic history.
A joint meeting of opposition parliamentary parties at Parliament House on Tuesday condemned the imposition of the emergency and governor’s rule, the removal of the province’s elected government, and the arrest of political leaders and workers, according to a statement issued after the meeting.
The meeting was chaired by National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai. Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, PTI interim chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and PTI secretary general Salman Akram Raja were among those present.
Opposition unites against the KP emergency
The statement said the removal of the elected KP government, the arrest of PTI leaders including Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, and action against political workers ran contrary to the mandate given by the people of the province and to democratic values.
The participants demanded that the fundamental rights of the arrested leaders and workers be protected and that the supremacy of the Constitution and the law be upheld.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman briefed the meeting on his negotiations with the government, saying the step in KP was taken despite the talks having been completed. The participants appreciated his role in promoting the democratic process, easing political tension and seeking to resolve the crisis through dialogue.
The development adds a new wrinkle to Fazl’s mediation role. Days ago, the JUI-F chief accused the government of reneging on his mediation after the emergency was imposed mid-talks.
“Uniform principles” for all provinces
The opposition also questioned what it called double standards in the government’s handling of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Achakzai has previously drawn a parallel between the two provinces, arguing that similar law-and-order challenges were being treated differently for political reasons.
If provinces faced law-and-order or constitutional problems, the statement said, uniform principles should be applied to resolve them. Dissolving an elected government or taking undemocratic action on the basis of political differences was not a solution, it added.
The meeting stressed that the rights of the people and the mandate of elected representatives in all provinces, including KP and Balochistan, must be respected equally.
Instead of unilateral decisions, the opposition called for a comprehensive national strategy against terrorism, formulated in consultation with all stakeholders, with the province given the resources it needs.
The demand lands as the federal government defends the move as a counterterrorism necessity. PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has described governor’s rule as a last option, while the law minister insists the emergency covers the whole province. The two narratives — democratic mandate versus security emergency — are now set for a prolonged clash.
Who attended the opposition meeting?
The meeting was chaired by NA Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai and attended by Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, PTI’s Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Salman Akram Raja, and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, among others.
What did the opposition demand?
The immediate withdrawal of the emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, protection of the fundamental rights of arrested leaders and workers, and upholding the supremacy of the Constitution.
What did Fazlur Rehman say about his negotiations?
He told the meeting that the KP step was taken despite his talks with the government having been completed, and the participants appreciated his efforts to ease tensions through dialogue.
