The federal government is “seriously considering” imposing an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Article 232 of the Constitution, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said on Wednesday. He linked the possibility to the worsening security situation and increasing terrorist activity in the province.
Speaking to journalists at Parliament House, Chaudhry alleged that the KP government had failed to effectively address the deteriorating law-and-order situation and said the federal government was concerned about the continuing security challenges. He maintained that the proposed move was being considered on security grounds rather than political differences, although the announcement comes amid heightened tensions between Islamabad and the PTI-led provincial government.
The possibility of federal intervention comes as political tensions between the Centre and KP continue to escalate. The federal government has been discussing constitutional and legal options, while officials have also raised the possibility of action under other constitutional provisions. No final decision to impose an emergency has been announced.
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, meanwhile, has rejected warnings of federal intervention and said he would not back down. He has maintained that the PTI would continue with its planned political activities and has warned against what he described as attempts to remove the provincial government. Reports also indicate that the PTI’s planned march towards Islamabad is scheduled for October 4.
The developments come amid serious security concerns in KP, including a recent deadly attack in Dera Ismail Khan that killed at least 12 people, according to the Associated Press. The federal government’s allegations regarding the provincial administration’s handling of security, however, are disputed by PTI officials.
The situation remains politically fluid, with consultations and discussions over possible constitutional measures continuing. Any emergency under Article 232 would be a significant constitutional step, making the coming days important for relations between the federal and provincial governments.
