Cabinet meets today to consider emergency in KP
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have agreed to impose an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with the federal cabinet set to discuss the available political and constitutional options today (Sunday).
The two leaders discussed the country’s overall political and security situation during a meeting at the President’s House on Saturday, according to an official statement.
Sources said the meeting considered imposing an emergency in 12 districts, including the eight former tribal districts, and transferring certain powers to the federal government to protect the public.
The proposed measures include establishing a federally administered Fata Council to oversee development, law and order and other matters in the 12 districts, while governor’s rule could be imposed in the remaining districts of the province, according to media reports.
The proposed districts where emergency could be imposed included Upper and Lower Kurram, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank and Dera Ismail Khan, the media reports said.
The federal cabinet will meet at the Prime Minister’s House on Sunday to consider the options, including an emergency under Articles 232 to 234 of the Constitution or governor’s rule.
Cabinet members will also be briefed on the meeting at the President’s House and the government’s consultations so far.
Separate sessions of the National Assembly and Senate are scheduled to be convened on Tuesday, October 13, to consider the proposed measures, according to the reports.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to discuss the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Separately, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi met Federal Minister Amir Muqam in Peshawar to discuss the PTI’s long march, the province’s security situation and other political matters.
A statement from the Governor House said the federal government would take all possible steps to maintain peace and promote development in the province.