Pakistan imposes emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amid political turmoil

On Sunday the federal cabinet, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, decided to impose emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, citing the province’s “deliberate disengagement from the fight against terrorism” and a deteriorating security situation tied to PTI’s long march demanding Imran Khan’s release. President Asif Ali Zardari signed the decree, enacting the measure immediately. Veteran journalist Mazhar Abbas reflected on a pattern of October interventions dating back to 1958, noting that parties on both sides have historically welcomed such actions.

Analysts including Niaz Murtaza and former ambassador Maleeha Lodhi condemned the move as ill-advised and warned it could complicate the province’s stability. Opposition leaders such as Bushra Gohar and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan urged a political dialogue and warned the emergency could further erode democratic norms. Commentators like Ihsanullah Tipu Mehsud and Umar Saif argued the central government now bears a heavy responsibility to deliver reforms, while Shahzad Iqbal highlighted President Zardari’s third use of governor’s rule.