Pakistan considers state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — Dawn
Pakistan is considering the possibility of imposing a state of emergency in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which is governed by the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that imposing a state of emergency under Article 232 of the Constitution is under consideration due to the growing terrorist threat, rather than for political reasons.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif plans to hold consultations with allies on the political and security situation. In particular, he may meet with President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Dawn reports. According to the publication, the meetings may also discuss the imposition of governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Meetings of government allies
Delegations of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Peoples Party have already met in the office of the speaker of the National Assembly. Sherry Rehman and Syed Naveed Qamar of the Pakistan Peoples Party held talks with Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Tariq Fazal Chaudhry.
Tarar said after the meeting that the sides also discussed the state of emergency. According to him, governor's rule may be imposed under circumstances that require it. He referred to daily deaths in the province.
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Pakistan Peoples Party representative Nayyar Bukhari said that the party would provide recommendations within the framework of the Constitution and legislation if asked to state its position on governor's rule. He also stressed that the party supports political dialogue and negotiations.
Protests and possible dialogue
Last week, the federal authorities warned the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government that, due to the security situation and PTI's march to Islamabad planned for October 4, they could resort to governor's rule. PTI, for its part, warned of serious consequences should such a decision be made.
Shehbaz Sharif had also previously invited the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, to consultations on matters of national importance and PTI. Separately, the prime minister may meet Jamaat-e-Islami leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman to discuss the petroleum products levy. Rehman had said that he would resume his march in the first week of October if negotiations produced no results.
