Pakistan accuses suspended provincial government of colluding with militants

Islamabad (AP) — Pakistan's federal government announced on Monday that the provincial administration, led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party, has been collaborating "hand in glove" with the Pakistani Taliban. The move to suspend the administration and deploy a state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is intended to bolster security efforts against terrorism.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar claimed the government possessed "solid evidence" to substantiate its accusations. The suspension came after the federal government exhausted all diplomatic avenues, including negotiations, to avoid direct rule through the governor. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, the province's elected leader, is currently under arrest.

The federal government accuses Afridi of aiding the Taliban, which is also linked to the Afghan Taliban. Khan's party spokesman stated that the party's legal team was preparing to challenge the emergency decree. Daily life in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained largely unaffected, with authorities closing schools temporarily out of precaution.

Despite the suspension, talks between Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party and the federal government had already concluded without reaching a resolution.