Federal cabinet gives nod to imposition of emergency in KP; summary sent to President

The Prime Minister Office recently informed President House for final approval to declare an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). A federal cabinet meeting on Sunday discussed the security situation in the region, noting the "provincial government’s deliberate disengagement from the fight against terrorism." The decision was initially made during an emergency session chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Sharif urged the PTI-led KP government to refrain from destabilizing Pakistan's economy. He highlighted the recent fiscal agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), expressing hope for unlocking a $1.2 billion tranche this year. Sharif commended the coordination between political and military leadership in implementing fiscal discipline across Pakistan.

The premier also touched upon Pakistan's diplomatic contributions, including mediation efforts in the Middle East conflict and receiving recognition for its work. He strongly condemned the recent Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia, emphasizing Pakistan's unwavering support for the kingdom and its refusal to tolerate any aggression against it. Turning to the issue of terrorism in KP and Balochistan, Sharif lamented the loss of innocent lives and criticized neighboring Afghanistan for failing to control terrorist elements.

The statement from the Prime Minister's Office underscores the federal cabinet's decision to impose emergency measures in KP following a series of security concerns and the government's perceived lack of commitment to combating terrorism.