President proclaims emergency, governor’s rule in KP
President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday signed a summary for imposing an emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, according to an official announcement.
The Presidency said the decision to impose an emergency under Article 232 has been taken in view of a sharp increase in terrorist incidents, which posed serious threats to the lives and property of citizens.
According to the presidential announcement, the emergency had been imposed amid rising terrorist attacks and a deteriorating law and order situation in the province.
Attacks on government installations, infrastructure and law enforcement agencies had also increased, it said, adding that the provincial government had failed to effectively tackle terrorism and lawlessness.
The announcement said the provincial government could no longer be run in accordance with the Constitution under the prevailing circumstances.
The federal government would be authorised to direct the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor to assume control of all or some provincial affairs.
The governor would exercise the powers of provincial institutions and officials, except those of the provincial assembly, the announcement said.
The chief minister, provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants and advocate general would immediately cease to hold their offices.
The presidential proclamation will take effect immediately. The announcement said urgent constitutional measures were necessary in view of the serious situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had recommended the imposition of an emergency and governor’s rule in the province after the federal cabinet approved the proposal.
The powers of the provincial assembly will also be exercised by Parliament to ensure that no constitutional or legal vacuum arises.
Meanwhile, as part of the new administrative arrangements, the federal government has issued a notification appointing Dr Muhammad Fakhr Alam Irfan as chief secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to the notification, Irfan, a grade-22 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, has been appointed with immediate effect and will remain in the post until further orders.
Irfan, who hails from Mardan district, was previously serving as secretary of the Power Division in the federal Ministry of Energy.
He will now oversee the implementation of the province’s new administrative priorities.