Islamabad, October 13, 2026: Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has defended the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), rejecting allegations that the federal government unlawfully removed an elected provincial administration.
Speaking at a media briefing in Islamabad alongside Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, the law minister maintained that the decision was taken under constitutional provisions to address the province’s worsening security situation.
His remarks came as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) continued to oppose the federal government’s decision and announced plans to challenge it in court.
Law Minister Defends Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Azam Nazeer Tarar said the Constitution provides a legal framework for extraordinary measures when circumstances require federal intervention.
He explained that the emergency and governor’s rule were imposed under Articles 232 and 234 of Pakistan’s Constitution.
According to the minister, the federal cabinet reviewed reports from security institutions before recommending the action.
Tarar rejected claims that the decision was politically motivated, arguing that the federal government could have intervened earlier if its objective had been to target PTI.
He maintained that the primary concern was protecting citizens and restoring security in the province.
Federal Government Cites Rising Terrorism in KP
The law minister highlighted an increase in terrorist incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a major reason behind the emergency measures.
He said Pakistan had faced terrorism for decades, but the security situation in KP had become increasingly concerning.
According to figures presented by Tarar, approximately 2,900 terrorist incidents were recorded in the province between 2021 and 2024, compared with around 8,600 incidents during the following two years.
These figures were presented by the minister and have not been independently verified here.
Tarar said the federal government examined intelligence and security reports before deciding that extraordinary constitutional measures were necessary.
Attaullah Tarar Accuses Former KP Government of Failing to Cooperate
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar alleged that the PTI-led provincial administration had repeatedly failed to cooperate with Islamabad on counterterrorism measures.
He said the federal government had attempted to reach an agreement with PTI and the KP leadership on a coordinated security strategy.
According to the information minister, former chief minister Sohail Afridi rejected an arrangement intended to improve cooperation against militant groups.
Tarar maintained that the federal government had no objection to PTI continuing its political activities but expected the provincial administration to support a unified national counterterrorism policy.
PTI has rejected the federal government’s accusations and disputes its justification for imposing governor’s rule.
Government Questions Absence of KP Apex Committee Meetings
Attaullah Tarar also raised concerns about the reported absence of regular apex committee meetings in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
These committees are intended to improve coordination among civilian authorities, security institutions and law enforcement agencies.
The minister argued that Pakistan already has a National Action Plan to address terrorism and that provincial governments should cooperate in implementing it.
He said differences between federal and provincial approaches had weakened coordination at a time when the country was facing serious security threats.
Centre Calls for Unified Policy on Afghanistan and Terrorism
The information minister emphasised that Pakistan could not pursue separate federal and provincial foreign policies.
He said Islamabad wanted Afghanistan’s territory to be prevented from being used for militant attacks inside Pakistan.
According to Tarar, the federal and provincial governments must follow a coordinated strategy when dealing with cross-border security threats.
He alleged that militants had gained influence in some southern districts of KP and criticised the former provincial administration’s response.
These allegations represent the federal government’s position and have been disputed by PTI.
President Zardari Imposed Governor’s Rule on October 11
President Asif Ali Zardari declared an emergency and imposed governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on October 11, following advice from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The decision followed recommendations from the federal cabinet and security reports concerning the province’s law-and-order situation.
Under the emergency arrangement, the elected provincial government’s authority was suspended, and the governor assumed responsibility for provincial administration.
Although the law minister maintains that the decision does not constitute overthrowing an elected government, the suspension of the provincial administration has intensified the constitutional and political dispute.
PTI Rejects Governor’s Rule and Plans Legal Challenge
PTI has strongly condemned the federal government’s intervention, describing it as an attack on the democratic mandate of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s voters.
The party argues that the security situation does not justify suspending an elected provincial administration.
PTI leaders have announced plans to challenge the emergency measures in court and continue political opposition to the decision.
The dispute has increased tensions between the federal government and PTI, with both sides presenting sharply different explanations for the intervention.
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What Happens Next in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?
The federal government maintains that governor’s rule is a constitutional response to serious security challenges.
PTI, meanwhile, is seeking legal and political avenues to reverse the decision and restore its provincial administration.
The coming days are expected to bring further debate over the constitutional basis of the emergency, the effectiveness of the new administrative arrangement and the future of federal-provincial relations.
The outcome could have significant implications for governance and political stability in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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