ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has said that any emergency imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be linked to the province’s security and law-and-order situation rather than the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march.
Speaking during Geo News’ programme Capital Talk, Chaudhry said the security situation was the reason being cited for consideration of emergency measures in the province. He also said that approval from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly would not be required for imposing an emergency.
His comments come amid growing political debate over the federal government’s position on the province and the PTI’s planned political activity.
Malik Adil Iqbal, Special Assistant to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, said during the programme that the PTI’s October 4 long march would take place under all circumstances.
The statement comes after the PTI moved its planned march to October 4. The proposed demonstration has added to political tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led provincial administration.
The government has previously expressed concerns that political protests could affect public order, while PTI representatives have maintained that the march will proceed.
Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah said the Pakistan Peoples Party does not support the imposition of emergency or Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
His statement highlights differences among political parties over how the situation in the province should be addressed.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has also rejected talk of Governor’s Rule and emergency measures, according to reports. He has argued that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should not become a target of political confrontation and has called for a change in policy.
Security and Constitutional Questions
The debate has also raised questions about the constitutional procedure for imposing an emergency in the province. Chaudhry has maintained that the provincial assembly would not need to approve such a move, while Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has said any action would have to meet the constitutional requirements.
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The situation remains politically sensitive as discussions over security, provincial governance and the PTI’s October 4 march continue. Different political parties have presented competing positions, while the question of any emergency measure remains part of the ongoing political debate.
