Pakistan Imposes Emergency Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Amid Protests by Imran Khan Supporters
Pakistan placed the northern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under emergency rule on Sunday following anti-government demonstrations by supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan and ongoing violence by armed groups in the northwest.
The measure was invoked under two constitutional articles related to security and grants the federal government sweeping administrative powers over the province. President Asif Ali Zardari signed the order after recommendations concerning the law and order situation and the failure of negotiations with government delegations.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office said the decision was taken due to the deteriorating law and order in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and what it described as the provincial government’s deliberate indifference in the fight against terrorism.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a stronghold of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The PTI-led provincial government will be sidelined under the emergency provisions. PTI chairman Gohar Ali Khan described the move as an extremely alarming and grave political mistake and an undemocratic measure, stating that people would not accept actions against their rights.
An increased security presence was visible in the provincial capital Peshawar, with roads closed in other cities across the province. PTI supporters began “long march” demonstrations between towns and cities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa a week earlier after talks with the government broke down.
Khan has been in prison since August 2023 and faces multiple charges, including corruption, treason and inciting violence, linked to widespread anti-establishment riots in May that year. He and his legal team reject the allegations as politically motivated. Talks had collapsed on 4 October after the government linked negotiations on PTI demands including medical access for Khan to agreement on security measures in the province.
Separately, Pakistan has blamed a rise in attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan on violence originating from Afghanistan. The Taliban administration in Kabul denies the claims and has accused Pakistan of violating its sovereignty. The two countries fought briefly in February, with sporadic attacks continuing after a March truce.