Pakistan imposes emergency, governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Pakistan's federal government imposed an emergency and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday after President Asif Ali Zardari approved a federal cabinet recommendation. The measures were enacted under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution following a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Cabinet members cited the "gravity" of the security situation and accused the provincial government of deliberate disengagement from the fight against terrorism. The provincial administration is led by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

“The provincial government's deliberate disengagement from the fight against terrorism.”

Following the presidential approval, the federal government appointed Dr Muhammad Fakhr Alam Irfan as the new chief secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Dr Irfan, a Grade 22 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, previously served as secretary of the Power Division and hails from Mardan.

The cabinet meeting included senior ministers Mohsin Naqvi, Khawaja Asif, Ishaq Dar, Attaullah Tarar, and Rana Sanaullah. Governor Faisal Karim Kundi had reportedly submitted a written explanation to the prime minister citing the deteriorating law and order situation as grounds for the emergency.

Earlier reports had suggested a phased approach involving emergency in 12 districts and governor's rule elsewhere, alongside a proposed FATA Council. Dawn's report confirms the measures have now been formally imposed across the province.