Joint parliamentary session debates resolutions on emergency, governor’s rule in KP

A joint parliamentary session is underway to consider two resolutions concerning the imposition of governor's rule and emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). This session follows the separate approval of emergency resolutions by both the National Assembly and Senate. Article 232 mandates that the proclamation of emergency be presented to both Houses for approval within 10 days of the president's decision.

Similarly, Article 234 stipulates that a governor's rule proclamation should be laid before a joint sitting and expires after two months unless approved by the joint session, with a maximum duration of six months.

Governor's rule and emergency were declared in KP on October 11, attributed to the provincial government's "deliberate disengagement" from the battle against terrorism. This decision came following weeks of political tension between the federal government and the Pakistani Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) after the latter organized a long march to Islamabad to demand the release of Imran Khan, the party's founder and former prime minister.

During the joint session, opposition members protested with placards bearing slogans like "emergency na manzoor" (emergency is unacceptable).

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry proposed a motion to suspend certain sub-rules to enable the presentation of these resolutions. Following loud opposition and the speaker's vote, the motion was adopted with 214 votes in favor and 56 against. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar initiated the discussion on the two resolutions, explaining that a special mechanism has been established in KP to manage its affairs during the emergency and governor's rule.

He also noted that the PTI-led government in KP, now non-functional, had been repeatedly warned about addressing terrorism. Tarar emphasized that the government's actions were in line with the Constitution and that the joint session could reject both resolutions with a simple majority.

During the session, prayers were offered for those who lost their lives, mostly children, in a roof collapse in Peshawar. PTI interim chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan lamented the country's current fragile situation and expressed disappointment over the accusation that KP was supporting terrorists. He highlighted the opposition's previous support during the India-Pakistan war and rejected the government's claims about the PTI leaders' attendance at martyrs' funerals.

Gohar accused the government of fostering a perception that the PTI was aiding terrorists and called for an apology from the prime minister. He also reiterated the opposition's willingness to engage in dialogue with the government, provided certain conditions were met.