Pakistan imposes emergency rule in northern province after protests

Pakistan has imposed emergency rule in its northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following anti-government demonstrations by supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan and a surge in militant violence, the president’s office said on Sunday.

President Asif Ali Zardari signed the order after receiving recommendations citing the deteriorating law and order situation and the failure of negotiations between the government and opposition representatives.

The emergency measures, invoked under two articles of Pakistan’s constitution related to security, grant the federal government sweeping administrative powers over the province, effectively sidelining the provincial government led by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office said the decision was prompted by the worsening security situation and what it described as the provincial government’s deliberate indifference towards counterterrorism efforts.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has long been a stronghold of the PTI. Thousands of Khan’s supporters have been staging demonstrations and marching between towns and cities across the province over the past week, demanding his release and voicing criticism of the federal government amid worsening economic conditions.

PTI chairman Gohar Ali Khan condemned the emergency measures, describing them as an “extremely alarming and grave political mistake” and an undemocratic move. In a post on X, he said the people would never accept actions that violated their rights.

An increased security presence was reported in Peshawar, the provincial capital, on Sunday, while roads in several other cities across the province remained closed.

The demonstrations began after negotiations between the government and the PTI broke down on October 4. The government had sought to prevent a major opposition mobilisation but linked progress in the talks to an agreement on security measures in the PTI-governed province.

Among the opposition’s demands was access to Khan by his personal doctors.

The former cricket star, who remains widely popular among his supporters, has been in prison since August 2023. He faces numerous charges, including corruption, treason and incitement to violence, following widespread anti-establishment riots in May 2023.

Khan and his legal team have denied the allegations, describing the cases as politically motivated attempts to undermine his popularity.

The emergency declaration comes amid growing security challenges along Pakistan’s western border. Islamabad has blamed an increase in militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the southwestern province of Balochistan on armed groups operating from Afghanistan.

Afghanistan’s Taliban government has rejected the accusations, accusing Pakistan of violating Afghan sovereignty and killing civilians.

The dispute has fuelled tensions and armed clashes between the neighbouring countries. Pakistan and Afghanistan engaged in fighting in February, followed by sporadic attacks after a truce was reached in March. However, a lasting security agreement has yet to be achieved.