National Assembly ratifies emergency in KP
The National Assembly on Wednesday ratified the presidential decision to impose an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Article 232 of the Constitution, with the resolution passing by a majority despite protests from opposition members.
The resolution was moved by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry during a session chaired by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. The house first approved a motion to suspend the question hour before taking up the resolution.
Following its approval, the National Assembly was adjourned until 11am on Friday.
Government cites rising terrorism
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar defended the decision, citing an increase in terrorist attacks, internal unrest and cross-border infiltration.
He said the federal cabinet had reviewed the situation during a two-and-a-half-hour meeting before recommending that the prime minister impose an emergency in the province under Article 232.
Presenting figures in the National Assembly, Tarar said 2,911 terrorist incidents were recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa between 2021 and 2024. He said the number rose to 3,787 between October 15, 2025, and October 9, 2026.
The law minister said the federal and provincial governments should have worked together to counter the security threat and taken practical measures while acknowledging the sacrifices of the armed forces, police personnel and civilians.
He accused the provincial government of failing to address the security situation and criticised former chief minister Sohail Afridi, alleging that political activities, visits to other cities and statements about marching on Islamabad had taken priority over maintaining law and order.
Tarar said the federal government had pursued negotiations before taking the decision. A team comprising Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Rana Sanaullah and Amir Muqam held talks with opposition representatives over two days in the speaker’s chamber, he added.
However, he claimed that the opposition had focused on demands concerning the release of incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan and the facilities available to him rather than counterterrorism measures.
The law minister said such matters could be addressed through the judicial system or under Article 45 of the Constitution, which empowers the president to grant pardons and other forms of clemency.
Referring to previous political negotiations, Tarar said an understanding had been reached in 2023 on holding simultaneous elections and dissolving assemblies, but the PTI leadership later rejected the arrangement. He linked the subsequent political tensions to the events of May 9.
He stressed that parliamentary approval of an emergency proclamation under Article 232 was constitutionally required within 10 days and called on political parties to support security forces in combating terrorism.
Coalition parties back government
The federal government also sought parliamentary support for its decision through the Senate and a joint sitting of Parliament.
A Senate session was scheduled for 4pm on Wednesday to consider a separate resolution on the emergency. A joint sitting of Parliament was scheduled for 11:30am on Thursday to consider the presidential orders relating to governor’s rule under Article 234.
Coalition partners assured the federal government of their support.
The Pakistan Peoples Party’s parliamentary committee, chaired by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, discussed the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the federal government’s measures. Party sources said the PPP would participate in voting on the government’s resolution concerning governor’s rule and support the government on various bills.
A high-level delegation of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, led by Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, also met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and assured him of the party’s support.
The prime minister said the government had taken the difficult decision in view of the province’s security concerns and the interests of its people. He said efforts to negotiate had not received a positive response, while terrorist attacks had targeted civilians and security personnel.
Normality gradually returning to Peshawar
Meanwhile, administrative conditions and routine activities were gradually returning to normal in Peshawar following the imposition of governor’s rule.
Containers placed on several roads had been removed, educational institutions had reopened, and traffic flow, including the Bus Rapid Transit service, was gradually resuming.
Security arrangements remained in place in sensitive areas, particularly the Red Zone.