Federal cabinet recommends emergency rule in KP amid worsening security situation

The federal cabinet on Sunday urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to advise President Asif Ali Zardari to impose an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to a press release from the Prime Minister's Office. The recommendation was made due to the worsening security situation and the alleged disengagement of the provincial government from the fight against terrorism.

The cabinet, chaired by the prime minister, reviewed the deteriorating security situation during the meeting. The cabinet's concerns were the provincial government's perceived detachment from the war against terrorism. The Prime Minister's Office confirmed that the advice had been sent to the Presidency. Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz addressed the federal cabinet, expressing his determination not to allow the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to undermine Pakistan's economic stabilization efforts.

He stated this while the two sides were experiencing tensions. Shehbaz had recently secured an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), expressing optimism that Pakistan would receive the $1.2 billion tranche before the end of the year. He also recalled his meeting with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) last month.

The prime minister praised the country's political and military leadership for their collective efforts to maintain fiscal discipline. He also mentioned his visit to London last month, where he met senior executives from leading global financial institutions.