Emergency imposed in KP as its security situation was becoming threat to 'national security': minister

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar informed the National Assembly on Wednesday that emergency has been declared in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) due to a security situation that poses a threat to the nation. The question hour session was halted as lawmakers debated the emergency proclamation in KP. Opposition members were surprisingly calm and refrained from protesting. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry submitted the motion for the emergency proclamation, while Tarar initiated the discussion.

According to Tarar, the proclamation of emergency requires both houses of parliament to approve the measure under Article 232 of the Constitution. He mentioned that the federal cabinet reviewed materials on terrorism in the province during their meeting on October 11 and subsequently advised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to recommend the emergency proclamation. Tarar recalled that some individuals likened this measure to the one imposed by former dictator Gen Pervez Musharraf on October 12, 1999.

The minister emphasized the "internal disturbances" and cross-border infiltrations as key concerns. He stated that since the formation of the Sohail Afridi government in KP on October 15, 2025, the situation has escalated into an alarming threat to national security. Tarar highlighted a surge in terrorism in KP, particularly after 2021, attributing it to the KP government's approach. He speculated that foreign, diplomatic, and political reasons may have fueled the rise in terror activities, which has since intensified.

Tarar criticized the KP chief minister for ignoring the martyred security and police personnel, instead focusing on advancing his political agenda and making countrywide visits. He alleged that there was a threat of the federal capital being conquered by the opposition party. The PML-N leader expressed gratitude to NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq for facilitating dialogue between the Centre and the opposition.

He reiterated the government's stance that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had altered the agreement draft multiple times but eventually backed off. PTI leaders demanded the release and transfer of their jailed founder, Imran Khan, despite acknowledging that only courts could grant such relief.