Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari has signed an order declaring a state of emergency and transferring direct administration of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the province’s governor, following approval by the federal cabinet.
According to a statement issued by Pakistan’s President’s House, the decision was taken on the recommendation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, under Articles 232 and 234 of Pakistan’s Constitution.
The statement said that a surge in terrorist attacks and the deteriorating security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have posed a serious threat to the lives of citizens, government facilities, critical infrastructure and security institutions. The federal government also alleged that the provincial administration had failed to take adequate measures to contain terrorism and prevent lawlessness, making it difficult to govern the province under the normal constitutional framework.
The decision followed a review of reports from security agencies, approval by the federal cabinet and the failure of efforts to initiate dialogue between the government and political opposition.
Under the order, the governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will assume responsibility for all or part of the provincial government’s powers on behalf of the federal government. The powers of other provincial institutions and officials, except those of the provincial assembly, will also be exercised through the governor. Meanwhile, the powers of the provincial assembly will be transferred to Pakistan’s parliament or its subordinate bodies.
Under the arrangement, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants and the province’s advocate general will be removed from their positions.
Before the order was signed, the federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, held a special meeting. Participants included Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Rana Sanaullah, Salik Hussain and Attaullah Tarar. During the meeting, officials presented reports on the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and terrorism-related incidents. Cabinet members then urged the prime minister to consult the president on declaring a state of emergency.
According to government sources, Pakistani officials had attempted to facilitate dialogue through Maulana Fazlur Rehman, leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, before taking the decision. However, the efforts proved unsuccessful, prompting the government to proceed with the emergency measures.
Meanwhile, security has been tightened around the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad. Additional police personnel and armoured vehicles have been deployed along Constitution Avenue.
Writer:Roya Stanikzai
