JUI-F moves Senate resolution against KP governor’s rule

Senator Kamran Murtaza of the JUI-F has introduced a resolution in the Senate, challenging the governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Senate is scheduled to convene today, Tuesday. The resolution expresses deep concern over actions that threaten provincial autonomy, the mandate of elected provincial institutions, democratic governance, and the constitutional rights of citizens.

Senator Murtaza pointed out that Article 232 of the Constitution mandates presidential satisfaction of grave emergency conditions before invoking the emergency provision. However, he argued that such satisfaction was absent and the proclamation seemed to be hastily issued by the president. He emphasized that the language "if the president is satisfied" implies that the constitutionally required circumstances must be thoroughly considered before the emergency can be declared.

Consequently, the use of Article 232 for this proclamation could be seen as arbitrary, mechanical, and an unconstitutional exercise of power. The resolution reiterates the House's dedication to the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, parliamentary democracy, the rule of law, provincial autonomy, and fundamental rights of the people.

It demands an immediate revocation of the proclamation, rather than waiting for the 10-day parliamentary approval period to lapse, and declares the proclamation ultra vires the Constitution.