PM Shehbaz takes allies into confidence on KP governor's rule, says Centre made every effort to avoid 'extreme step'

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a meeting with political allies on Tuesday to discuss the imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and the declaration of emergency in 12 of its districts. The Centre had exerted efforts to avoid this "extreme step," the premier stated, citing the provincial government's "deliberate disengagement" from the fight against terrorism.

During the meeting, Shehbaz explained the decision's rationale, emphasizing the PTI-led KP government's failure to adequately address terrorism and its neglect of development in health, education, and infrastructure. The parliamentary delegation, comprising representatives from the PML-Q, BAP, IPP, and PML-Zia, expressed support for the federal government and confidence in the new development trajectory for KP.

The PM also addressed a separate meeting of his PML-N, highlighting the people's longstanding desire for progress and the government's efforts to combat terrorism, even as the PTI-led administration was criticized for its lack of commitment to development and its focus on protests and long marches.