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

Islamabad witnessed the imposition of emergency and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Sunday, following the president's approval of the federal cabinet's recommendations. This decision was made in response to concerns over the security situation in the province, as discussed during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The federal cabinet, comprising members of the PMO, reviewed the gravity of the situation and decided that the President should exercise his constitutional authority to impose emergency under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution. Dr Muhammad Fakhr Alam Irfan, a Grade 22 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, was appointed as the chief secretary of KP, taking immediate effect.

While the emergency proclamation requires a provincial assembly resolution, the governor’s rule can be implemented upon a request from the provincial governor, with the proclamation set to expire within six months. The PM emphasized his determination to prevent the PTI-led KP government from destabilizing the national economy, citing the heart-wrenching consequences of terrorism on innocent citizens, security personnel, and civilians.