Islamabad, October 13, 2026: Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has defended the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), insisting that the federal government’s decision does not amount to permanently removing an elected government.
Speaking at a press briefing in Islamabad on Tuesday, the law minister said the measures were introduced under constitutional provisions to address the province’s deteriorating security situation.
His remarks came amid strong opposition from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which has rejected the decision and announced plans to challenge it through legal and political channels.
Law Minister Defends Governor’s Rule in KP
Azam Nazeer Tarar said the Constitution provides mechanisms for the federal government to intervene when extraordinary circumstances threaten national security or constitutional governance.
He maintained that the emergency and governor’s rule were imposed under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution.
The minister rejected allegations that the federal government had acted for political reasons, saying the decision was taken after extensive consultations and consideration of the security situation.
He argued that the measures were intended to restore stability and improve coordination between federal and provincial authorities.
Government Cites Rising Terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
During the briefing, Tarar highlighted what he described as a sharp increase in terrorist incidents across the province.
According to figures presented by the minister, approximately 2,900 terrorist incidents were reported in KP between 2021 and 2024.
He claimed that the number increased by around 195% to approximately 8,600 incidents over the following two years.
These figures were presented by the federal government as justification for emergency measures and have not been independently verified in the reports reviewed.
Tarar said the government considered stronger coordination necessary to protect civilians and security personnel.
Federal Government Accuses PTI Administration of Failing to Control Terrorism
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, who attended the briefing alongside the law minister, criticised the previous PTI-led provincial administration.
He alleged that the provincial government had failed to cooperate adequately with federal authorities in counterterrorism operations.
The information minister also accused the former provincial leadership of facilitating militant groups, although the government has not publicly presented evidence establishing those allegations.
PTI has rejected the accusations and maintains that its government was committed to combating terrorism.
The dispute has intensified political tensions between Islamabad and the former provincial administration.
What Do Articles 232 and 234 of Pakistan’s Constitution Mean?
The federal government has relied on two constitutional provisions to justify its decision.
| Constitutional article | Main purpose |
|---|---|
| Article 232 | Allows an emergency proclamation in circumstances including serious internal disturbances or threats to security |
| Article 234 | Permits federal intervention when a province cannot be governed in accordance with the Constitution |
Under the October 11 proclamation, the functions of the provincial government were transferred to Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, while the elected provincial administration’s authority was suspended.
Although the law minister says no elected government has been permanently ousted, the proclamation has removed the chief minister and provincial cabinet from exercising their offices during the arrangement.
Constitutional experts have stressed that the two provisions have different requirements and that their use remains subject to constitutional limitations.
PTI Rejects Emergency and Governor’s Rule
PTI has strongly criticised the federal government’s decision, describing it as an interference with the democratic mandate of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Party Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has announced plans to challenge the measures in court.
Opposition leaders have also questioned whether the security situation justified imposing governor’s rule across the entire province rather than adopting more targeted measures.
Several legal organisations have raised concerns about provincial autonomy and the constitutional basis of the emergency proclamation.
Federal Government Says Decision Was Unanimous
Azam Nazeer Tarar said the federal cabinet approved the decision unanimously after considering the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He maintained that the objective was to safeguard national security, protect residents and strengthen the country’s ability to respond to terrorism.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar also claimed that the new administrative arrangement would improve law enforcement and public service delivery.
However, opposition parties continue to dispute the government’s justification and have demanded restoration of the elected provincial administration.
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What Happens Next in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?
The emergency and governor’s rule will face parliamentary scrutiny under the relevant constitutional provisions.
The National Assembly and Senate are expected to consider the measures, while legal challenges may determine whether the government’s actions satisfy constitutional requirements.
The outcome could have significant implications for provincial autonomy, democratic governance and federal-provincial relations.
For now, the federal government maintains that the intervention is a constitutional response to security concerns, while PTI argues that the elected provincial administration should be restored.
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