Pakistan President suspends government in province ruled by Imran Khan's party

Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari has declared a state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, governed by Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, following unrest sparked by growing calls for Khan's release from jail. The emergency was declared after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's federal cabinet recommendation, according to Zardari's office.

The decision comes as Khan's party intensifies its efforts to secure his release, with supporters staging protests and threatening to march on Islamabad. The advisory submitted by Sharif highlighted the provincial government's failure to address Islamist militancy. Pakistan's constitution permits the federal government to assume some or all provincial functions during a state of emergency, but the specifics of administration in the province were not disclosed.

Khan's close aide, Zulfikar Bukhari, denounced the move as "ridiculous," warning it could result in bloodshed and instability. Khan, a former cricket star and former prime minister (2018-2022), is currently incarcerated on multiple charges, including corruption and treason, allegations his legal team deems politically motivated.

Despite health concerns raised by Khan's family and supporters, the government maintains his condition is stable. The emergency declaration heightens tensions between Sharif's government and the PTI, which accuses authorities of employing legal and political measures to weaken the party and keep Khan behind bars.