PTI challenges governor’s rule, emergency in KP before FCC
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has approached the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) against the imposition of governor’s rule and emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, filing a review petition against the court’s November 5 order.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and other petitioners have argued that the FCC’s order has affected proceedings on constitutional petitions already pending before the Peshawar High Court.
The petition, filed through lawyers Shah Faisal Ilyas and Ali Zaman, requests the court to amend its November 5, 2026 order and make Gohar and the other petitioners parties to the case.
The petitioners have also sought an opportunity to present their arguments and submit written submissions before the court.
They have requested the FCC to allow the Peshawar High Court to resume hearings and decide the pending constitutional petitions challenging the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in the province.
The petition also seeks the restoration of hearings on petitions concerning the recovery of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and provincial assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati.
The petitioners have argued that the suspension of proceedings has affected citizens’ fundamental rights and access to justice.
Background
President Asif Ali Zardari signed a summary on October 11, 2026, on the prime minister’s advice to impose emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution.
Following the decision, PTI and several other political parties and petitioners approached the Peshawar High Court, challenging the measures.
On November 5, 2026, the Federal Constitutional Court issued an order on petitions filed by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, suspending proceedings on constitutional petitions filed on or after October 12 in the context of the deployment of armed forces under Article 245 to assist the civil administration.
Following the FCC’s order, the Peshawar High Court did not schedule hearings on petitions challenging governor’s rule and emergency, as well as those seeking the recovery of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Speaker Babar Saleem Swati.
Gohar has now asked the FCC to review its earlier order and allow the high court to resume proceedings.
Gohar visits Shah Mahmood Qureshi
Separately, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan visited the Punjab Institute of Cardiology in Lahore to inquire after party leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who is receiving treatment at the hospital.
National Assembly member Zain Qureshi accompanied Gohar during the visit.
The two leaders met Qureshi and enquired about his health after Gohar arrived in Lahore.