Centre was compelled to impose emergency in KP, PM reiterates

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated on Saturday that the Centre had no choice but to impose emergency and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) due to the provincial government's failure to cooperate in combating terrorism. The decision was made following the provincial government's "deliberate disengagement" from the fight against terrorism.

The move was endorsed by Parliament amid opposition protests. Upon visiting the residence of Rashid Bashir Virk in Gujranwala to mourn the loss of his father, the premier emphasized the federal government's last-ditch attempt to resolve the issue through talks with the opposition.

Despite hours of negotiations, a breakthrough was not achieved. The premier noted that he had met with KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, as well as his predecessor Ali Amin Gandapur, expressing his condolences and emphasizing KP's beauty and brave citizens. He assured the chief minister of federal support in combating terrorism. However, the efforts proved futile, as thousands of security personnel, soldiers, officers, and armed forces personnel continued to sacrifice their lives daily in the province.

The imposition of emergency and governor's rule followed weeks of political tensions and negotiations between the Centre and PTI after the latter announced a long march to Islamabad to demand the release of its jailed founder, Imran Khan. Federal ministers accused the PTI-led KP government of having a "nexus" with terrorist groups, while the Centre maintained that the province's security situation required the emergency.

The two parties have been at odds over counterterrorism policy, with the PTI demanding a review and the Centre rejecting the KP government's stance on dialogue with the Afghan Taliban.