Deal could have averted emergency in KP, says Mohsin Naqvi

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday defended the federal government’s decision to impose an emergency and move towards governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying the measures could have been avoided if negotiations had produced an agreement.

Speaking during a Senate debate chaired by Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani, Naqvi said the government had accepted six proposed amendments during negotiations focused on ending terrorism, but the talks collapsed at the final stage, wasting two days of efforts.

“If an agreement had been reached on the day of the talks, the emergency would not have been imposed today,” he said, adding that the government had not wanted to impose emergency rule.

Naqvi said the government had remained in contact with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders during the negotiations. He said Barrister Gohar Ali Khan was contacted on the 10th to ask what changes the party wanted in paragraph four of the proposed agreement.

He blamed the PTI leadership for the deadlock and cited an earlier failure to reach an understanding over the postponement of a protest on November 26 and a video message by the party’s founder.

The interior minister maintained that the government had acted within the Constitution and followed the prescribed procedures. He said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had examined the relevant provisions and found no constitutional violation.

“If anyone believes that a constitutional provision has been violated, constitutional experts should identify it,” he said.

Naqvi questioned why the government would have continued negotiations with the PTI leadership if it had already intended to impose emergency rule. He added that the government had the authority to take such a step on November 26 but had refrained from doing so at the time.

Defending the measures on security grounds, Naqvi said the government could not remain passive while soldiers and police personnel continued to sacrifice their lives in the fight against terrorism.

He claimed that around 80% of those involved in terrorist incidents were coming from Afghanistan. He also alleged that some PTI leaders had contacts with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), saying he would present evidence at an appropriate time.

Naqvi further alleged that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had not been making decisions and accused PTI leader Murad Saeed of undermining the negotiations. He said some members of the provincial cabinet had also blamed Saeed for the difficulties they faced.

The minister said he had continued contacting political leaders until late at night before the emergency was imposed in an attempt to resolve the dispute through dialogue.

Raja Nasir Abbas rejects emergency

Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas rejected the imposition of emergency rule in KP, arguing that political disputes should not be linked to security matters.

He questioned why emergency rule had been proposed only for KP if the government believed the system had failed, saying the same standard would also require such measures in Balochistan and Islamabad.

He also asked whether the government had closed the last avenue for political opponents to return to the political process.

Ishaq Dar cites worsening security situation

Leader of the House Ishaq Dar said the emergency had been imposed under Article 232 of the Constitution, citing the security situation and cross-border terrorism, with the president satisfied that the circumstances warranted the measure.

He claimed that terrorist incidents in the country had more than doubled and accused the KP chief minister of travelling to other provinces to mobilise people.

Dar questioned whether the opposition was planning another May 9-style episode, referring to the violent protests of May 9, 2023.

He said efforts for political reconciliation could continue, but difficult decisions were necessary to protect the state and its people. The situation, he added, had gone beyond political negotiations and terrorism had to be eliminated.

Senators submit resolution against emergency, governor’s rule

Meanwhile, Senator Ali Zafar, Raja Nasir Abbas and other senators submitted a resolution in the Senate opposing emergency rule and governor’s rule in KP.

The resolution called for the immediate withdrawal of the emergency declaration, cancellation of related orders and restoration of the elected chief minister and provincial cabinet.

It reaffirmed support for the Constitution, parliamentary democracy, federalism and provincial autonomy, stressing that the mandate of the people of KP must be respected.

The resolution argued that disagreements between the federal and provincial governments over security policy, or the failure of political negotiations, could not justify imposing emergency or governor’s rule.

It also called for counterterrorism operations in KP to be conducted in consultation and coordination with the elected provincial government.

The Senate proceedings were adjourned until 4pm on Wednesday after the debate on the emergency measures.