National Assembly, Senate pass resolutions endorsing Centre's imposition of emergency in KP

On Wednesday, both the National Assembly and the Senate approved the Centre's decision to impose emergency and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The government cited the provincial administration's "deliberate disengagement" in the fight against terrorism as the reason for the measures. The National Assembly's decision was made after a discussion initiated by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, with the motion being adopted by a majority vote.

The Senate approved the move shortly after the National Assembly's vote. The President's proclamation of emergency under Article 232 of the Constitution must be presented to both Houses of Parliament for approval within 10 days. The governor's rule under Article 234 must be presented to a joint sitting and ceases after two months unless approved for extension, with a maximum of six months.

During the proceedings, opposition members remained calm, unlike previous instances of disruption when the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) objected to the Centre. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended part of the session, shaking hands with Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai. Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, PPP Chairman, described the imposition of emergency as a "political suicide attack" for the PTI and urged both parties to return to dialogue to combat terrorism.

He acknowledged the PTI's role in the current political, constitutional, and legal circumstances but emphasized the need for a joint effort against terrorism.