Emergency, governor’s rule in KP on agenda at high-level meeting

The federal government is expected to discuss the possible imposition of emergency or governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at a crucial meeting in Islamabad today, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The high-level meeting is expected to review the province’s security and political situation, with a possible decision on the way forward.

Senior military officers are also likely to attend the meeting.

The federal government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are at odds over several issues, including the party’s long march and security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to sources, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, federal ministers and senior military officials are expected to attend the meeting.

Federal cabinet members have been instructed to remain in Islamabad.

The meeting will review reports from national security institutions and consider a proposal to impose an emergency in 12 districts of the province, including the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), which have been merged with KP.

A proposal for the federal government to exercise key powers in the province is also under consideration.

The sources said the proposals would be discussed in light of Articles 232 to 234 of the Constitution. If an emergency is imposed, approval from the federal cabinet would be required, and the prime minister is expected to convene a cabinet meeting.