{
  "id": 13708774,
  "title": "Pakistan President suspends government in province ruled by Imran Khan's party",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/pakistan-president-suspends-government-in-province-ruled-by-imran",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-11T11:29:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/asia/2026/10/11/pakistan-president-suspends-government-in-province-ruled-by-imran-khans-party/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari has declared a state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, governed by Imran Khan's party, in response to unrest sparked by demands for Khan's release from jail. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had advised the president to take this action following a federal cabinet vote. The decision follows a surge in protests by Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, with supporters rallying in recent days and threatening to march on Islamabad. The emergency was declared in the northwestern province, where the PTI holds power. Zardari's office did not specify how the provincial government would operate under the emergency decree. Khan's aide and PTI spokesman Zulfikar Bukhari denounced the move as \"ridiculous\" and warned it could lead to more bloodshed and instability. Khan, a former cricket star who served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, is currently jailed on multiple charges, including corruption and treason, which he and his legal team claim are politically motivated. His supporters continue to demand his release, alleging the authorities are targeting Khan despite his continued public support. The PTI has also criticized the government's economic policies and broader political agenda. The emergency declaration in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa adds to the tension between Sharif's administration and the PTI, which accuses the government of using legal and political means to weaken the party and keep Khan imprisoned.",
  "summary": "Pakistan's President has suspended the government in a province ruled by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's party, declaring a state of emergency after unrest fuelled by a growing clamour for his release. Asif Ali Zardari followed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's advice to declare the emergency following a federal cabinet decision, his office said in a statement. The decision comes as Mr…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Imran Khan, Lekha Washington released after Mumbai protest detention; actor says ‘Jai Hind’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/imran-khan-lekha-washington-released-after-mumbai-protest-detention",
        "published": "2026-10-11T04:20:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Tushar Gandhi among 12 named in FIR over Mumbai protest; 600 detained and released",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/tushar-gandhi-among-12-named-in-fir-over-mumbai-protest-600-detained",
        "published": "2026-10-11T05:42:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Imran Khan's party's provincial government suspended by Pakistan president",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/imran-khans-partys-provincial-government-suspended-by-pakistan",
        "published": "2026-10-11T09:03:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Imran Khan's party's provincial government suspended by Pakistan president",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/imran-khans-partys-provincial-government-suspended-by-pakistan-13690443",
        "published": "2026-10-11T09:46:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Pakistan President suspends government in province ruled by Imran Khan's party",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/pakistan-president-suspends-government-in-province-ruled-by-imran-13709269",
        "published": "2026-10-11T11:29:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Pakistan declares emergency in Imran Khan stronghold amid militant violence and anti‑government marches",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/pakistan-declares-emergency-in-imran-khan-stronghold-amid-militant",
        "published": "2026-10-11T11:32:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Nikkei Asia",
        "title": "Pakistan suspends Imran Khan followers' provincial government",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/pakistan-suspends-imran-khan-followers-provincial-government",
        "published": "2026-10-11T14:52:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}