PM Shehbaz chairs cabinet meeting to discuss terrorism, governance in K-P

On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a cabinet meeting in Islamabad to discuss the state of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). The discussions were expected to center on terrorism, governance, and potential administrative and constitutional measures. The meeting aimed to consider imposing emergency measures and governor's rule in the province, as the federal government grappled with the ongoing protest march by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and escalating political tensions.

Key ministers attending the meeting included Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Sources indicated that the cabinet would weigh both options and advise President Asif Ali Zardari. The meeting followed a discussion between President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Saturday, during which they considered imposing an emergency or governor's rule in the province.

Governor Faisal Karim Kundi had previously submitted a written explanation about the grounds for emergency measures to the prime minister, arguing that the province's law and order situation had deteriorated to the point of necessitating emergency intervention. Should the cabinet approve the proposal, the prime minister would send the advice to the president, who would then have to approve it, before the emergency could take effect.

The cabinet was expected to present a summary of the proposals to the cabinet on Sunday, potentially through distribution. One proposal under consideration involved imposing an emergency in 12 districts of K-P, including tribal areas and some districts, while another proposal entailed transferring significant provincial powers to the federal government.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that the government had run out of options to resolve the standoff, urging journalists to consider how the situation could be resolved. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz had spoken with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, congratulating him on performing Umrah and inviting him to the prime minister's house for a meeting.

Fazl had expressed a desire for more time for political negotiations, and the PTI had maintained contact with him. Tarar, the information minister, had previously criticized the PTI government in K-P for neglecting governance and prioritizing political matters over public welfare, development, and security.