Islamabad, October 12, 2026: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has announced that he will challenge the imposition of emergency measures and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) before the Peshawar High Court on Tuesday, October 13.
Speaking at a press conference outside Parliament, Gohar rejected the federal government’s decision and said PTI would continue its protests and political activities until the measures were withdrawn.
Barrister Gohar Announces Legal Challenge
Barrister Gohar said he would personally approach the Peshawar High Court to challenge the constitutional validity of the emergency and governor’s rule imposed on October 11.
He described the decision as an attack on provincial autonomy and maintained that the elected representatives of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should be allowed to exercise their constitutional responsibilities.
The PTI chairman also announced that the party’s parliamentary leadership would meet on Tuesday to decide how to oppose the measures in the provincial assembly.
Gohar said the party would continue raising its concerns through courts, Parliament and peaceful demonstrations.
PTI Demands Withdrawal of Governor’s Rule
The PTI chairman criticised the federal government for introducing emergency measures despite ongoing political negotiations.
He claimed that the provincial administration had been changed abruptly and alleged that several party members were facing detention.
Gohar also expressed concern over reports that KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had been taken into custody.
He called for the immediate withdrawal of the October 11 proclamations and urged the federal government to respect the province’s democratic mandate.
Mahmood Khan Achakzai Announces Nationwide Protests
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai also rejected the federal government’s decision.
Speaking alongside Barrister Gohar, Achakzai announced that opposition parties would organise peaceful demonstrations across Pakistan against the emergency and governor’s rule.
He argued that constitutional institutions should be allowed to perform their responsibilities without unnecessary interference.
Achakzai also questioned the government’s justification for imposing emergency measures in KP, comparing the province’s security situation with ongoing challenges in Balochistan.
He said opposition parties remained willing to negotiate with the government while continuing their constitutional and political struggle.
Raja Nasir Abbas Criticises Emergency Measures
Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas also expressed opposition to the decision.
He urged political leaders to work together against terrorism rather than allow disagreements to deepen divisions between the federal and provincial governments.
Abbas questioned whether the security situation justified the extraordinary constitutional measures and called for cooperation with the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The opposition leaders maintained that counterterrorism efforts should continue alongside respect for democratic institutions and provincial rights.
Why Did the Federal Government Impose Governor’s Rule in KP?
The federal government imposed emergency measures and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on October 11 following recommendations from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and approval by President Asif Ali Zardari.
According to the federal government’s position, the provincial administration had failed to take adequate measures against terrorism and had not sufficiently cooperated with national counterterrorism efforts.
The proclamation cited security concerns and an alleged breakdown in the province’s constitutional administration.
PTI has rejected these allegations and maintains that the federal government’s action is politically motivated.
Legal Experts Divided Over Constitutional Validity
Legal experts have expressed differing views about whether the emergency and governor’s rule can be successfully challenged in court.
Some lawyers argue that presidential proclamations under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution may be reviewed if the required constitutional conditions were not fulfilled.
Others maintain that constitutional provisions provide substantial protection against judicial challenges to such proclamations.
Separately, lawyer Salman Khan has already filed a petition in the Peshawar High Court seeking to have the emergency and governor’s rule declared unlawful.
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What Happens Next in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?
PTI’s planned legal challenge and parliamentary meeting on October 13 are expected to determine the party’s next steps.
The opposition has announced that protests will continue, while the federal government maintains that the emergency measures are necessary to address security concerns.
The outcome of the legal proceedings could have significant implications for provincial governance, constitutional authority and relations between Islamabad and Peshawar.
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