Pakistan: The federal government is considering imposing emergency rule or governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as political tensions rise over the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) protest march, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convening a cabinet meeting to discuss constitutional options.
Senior leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) reportedly finalised a plan on Saturday to bring the province under greater federal control by invoking Articles 232, 233 and 234 of the Constitution, Dawn reported, citing sources familiar with the discussions.
The government has also decided to summon separate sessions of the National Assembly and Senate for Tuesday, October 13, according to the report.
Why Is the Government Considering Emergency Rule?
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the government had exhausted its options to avoid imposing an emergency in KP after efforts to reach an understanding with the PTI failed.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that the prime minister had called a cabinet meeting for Sunday to discuss the possible imposition of emergency or governor’s rule in the province.
Minister of State for Interior Affairs Tallal Chaudhry said the government was examining several options, accusing the PTI of failing to cooperate with federal efforts to address terrorism and of making statements against national policy during its march. The PTI’s position on the proposed measures was not included in the report.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also met President Asif Ali Zardari and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to discuss the political and security situation. Fazlur Rehman subsequently met PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and senior leader Asad Qaiser as part of efforts to reduce tensions.
A senior JUI-F leader said the party was facilitating talks but that any decision would ultimately rest with the government and the PTI.
What Do the Constitutional Provisions Allow?
Article 232 provides for a proclamation of emergency in circumstances including serious internal disturbances beyond a provincial government’s ability to control. An emergency proclamation made by the president on his own must be placed before both houses of Parliament for approval within 10 days.
Article 233 allows the suspension of certain fundamental rights during an emergency, subject to the constitutional provisions governing such action.
Article 234 deals with a situation in which a provincial government cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution. Under this provision, the president may assume or assign certain provincial government functions and provide for the exercise of provincial assembly powers by Parliament, subject to constitutional requirements.
Meanwhile, KP Police Chief Zulfiqar Hameed directed district police officers to remain available in their respective districts and instructed local police stations to identify vulnerable locations along the protest route and deploy adequate security.
The notification cited concerns about possible violence and sabotage during public demonstrations. The proposed federal measures had not been formally announced at the time of the report.