{
  "id": 13958512,
  "title": "Imran Khan’s PTI loses KP control: What happens next?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/imran-khans-pti-loses-kp-control-what-happens-next",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T12:30:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/imran-khans-pti-loses-kp-control-what-happens-next-1.500707620"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Imran Khan, the former prime minister of Pakistan, is currently facing a political setback as the federal government imposed governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), removing his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party from control over the province. This decision came on October 11, amid rising tensions between the federal government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Khan's PTI over counterterrorism policies and PTI's planned march to Islamabad to demand Khan's release. The crisis intensified when Sohail Afridi, a key PTI leader and former KP Chief Minister, along with several other politicians, were taken into preventive custody. Security forces in Peshawar, the provincial capital, blocked roads and restricted movement.\n\nPresident Asif Ali Zardari approved the imposition of governor's rule under Article 234 of the Constitution, following a recommendation from the federal cabinet. The federal government cited increasing militant violence, especially in districts near the Afghan border, and accused the PTI administration of not cooperating in counterterrorism efforts. The PTI, however, strongly denies these allegations, accusing the federal government of using security concerns to remove an elected government and weaken the opposition. The party also asserts that the security measures are politically motivated.\n\nGovernor Faisal Karim Kundi now holds executive authority in KP, supported by an 11-member advisory council. He stated that defeating terrorism would be his top priority and accused the previous provincial government of failing to combat terrorism effectively. The federal government also authorized military assistance to the civilian administration. The security measures have already disrupted daily life in parts of KP, with shipping containers blocking roads in Peshawar, police deployments, suspended mobile services, internet disruptions, and the closure of schools and colleges.\n\nThe PTI has vowed to challenge the emergency and governor's rule in courts and Parliament. The emergency can continue for up to six months, contingent on parliamentary approval within 10 days. For the PTI and its leader Imran Khan, the immediate challenge lies in continuing their political campaign without provincial government control. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's administration aims to prove that federal intervention can enhance security while addressing concerns about provincial autonomy. The weeks ahead will reveal whether these measures will foster better cooperation against terrorism or lead to a protracted conflict between the federal government and Khan's party.",
  "summary": "Dubai: Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister Imran Khan faces a fresh political setback after the federal government imposed governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), stripping his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of control over the province it has governed for years. The dramatic intervention on Sunday, October 11, came amid escalating tensions between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "Why Pakistan imposed emergency in Imran Khan’s party stronghold Khyber Pakhtunkhwa",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/why-pakistan-imposed-emergency-in-imran-khans-party-stronghold-khyber",
        "published": "2026-10-12T12:28:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}