Emergency, governor's rule imposed in KP as president approves cabinet decision

The federal government declared emergency and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, KPK, after President approved recommendations from the federal cabinet. The measures were approved under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, which deal with proclamation of emergency and governor's rule. The decision came after PM Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting of the federal cabinet, where members noted the "provincial government's deliberate disengagement from the fight against terrorism."

In response, the PM advised the president to exercise his constitutional authority and impose emergency in KPK under the mentioned articles. Dr. Muhammad Fakhr Alam Irfan, a Grade 22 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, was appointed as the chief secretary of KPK, taking effect immediately. The emergency provision allows the president to proclaim emergency when the security of Pakistan or any part thereof is threatened by war, external aggression, or internal disturbances beyond the power of the provincial government to control.

Proclamation of emergency must be approved by both houses of Parliament within 10 days if invoked due to internal disturbances. Article 234 deals with governor's rule in case of failure of constitutional machinery in a province, requiring only a request from the provincial governor. The PM warned the PTI-led KPK government would not be allowed to destabilize the economy amid tensions, stating he wouldn't allow them to destabilize the economy.