Govt decides to impose emergency in KP: sources
The federal government has decided to impose an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaching an agreement on the move during a meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Saturday, according to sources.
The federal cabinet will be asked to approve the decision on Sunday, while separate sessions of the National Assembly and Senate will also be convened to secure parliamentary endorsement, the sources said.
The 35-minute meeting between the president and the prime minister focused on the country’s overall political situation, law and order, and the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
PM Shehbaz briefed President Zardari on the progress of negotiations and his contacts with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
A meeting between the prime minister and Fazlur Rehman was also expected later on Saturday, according to sources.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Federal Minister Ahsan Cheema attended 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.
PTI long march
Meanwhile, PTI’s long march was set to reach Mardan after passing through different areas of Charsadda on Saturday.
According to PTI sources, participants reached Charsadda after passing through Peshawar on Friday night and stayed at Rajar Ground.
The march, under the leadership of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, resumed from the same location on Saturday and is scheduled to pass through Tangi, Charsadda and Sardheri before entering Mardan district.
Under the revised schedule, participants will stay overnight in Mardan before departing for Swabi on October 11.
The march’s schedule has been changed twice due to travel time and administrative reasons.
Addressing participants at Bakhshi Pul, Afridi thanked Peshawar residents and party workers for their support.
He said their enthusiasm and participation had remained strong despite the long journey, strengthening the resolve of the marchers.
Afridi said he would announce the march’s next course of action in Charsadda, while the final plan would be unveiled upon reaching Swabi.