Imran’s party govt dismissed in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:Emergency imposed; provincial CM led march demanding former PM’s release

Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif government imposed emergency rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province on Sunday. President Asif Ali Zardari approved the federal Cabinet’s recommendation. The Shehbaz government has alleged that Imran Khan’s PTI government is deliberately refusing to cooperate in the fight against terrorism in the province. The Pakistan government will not tolerate terrorism. Imran Khan’s party PTI opposed the decision The decision was taken at an emergency Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The meeting discussed the security situation in the province. The government decided to impose emergency rule and governor’s rule under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution. However, former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party PTI has opposed the move. Party chairman Gohar Ali Khan called it undemocratic and said that peace and stability could not be brought about by weakening the province’s rights. Shehbaz accuses Afghanistan of failing to rein in terrorist organisations At the meeting, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the PTI-led provincial government could not be allowed to destabilise the country’s economy. He also expressed concern over the deaths of civilians, police personnel, security forces personnel and children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Shehbaz also said that Pakistan had repeatedly appealed to neighbouring Afghanistan to rein in terrorist organisations, but its complaints were not being heeded. What do emergency and governor’s rule mean? Under Article 232 of Pakistan’s Constitution, an emergency can be imposed in the event of war, external attack or such serious internal unrest as the provincial government is unable to control. During this period, Parliament may also be given the power to make laws on certain matters in the province that normally fall under the provincial government’s jurisdiction. Meanwhile, under Article 234, governor’s rule can be imposed if the constitutional machinery in the province fails. For this, the President’s proclamation must be approved at a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament. Without approval, the proclamation expires after two months. Even after approval, it cannot be extended for more than two months at a time, and its total duration cannot exceed six months. The government did not mention Article 233 of the Constitution while announcing this decision. This article relates to the suspension of certain fundamental rights during an emergency. PTI calls decision undemocratic PTI chairman Gohar Ali Khan strongly criticised the decision to impose an emergency and governor’s rule. He said it was a serious political mistake and an undemocratic step taken against the rights of the people. Gohar said there was no disagreement over the need to eliminate terrorism, but the fight against terrorism should not be used as an excuse to suppress the people’s voice or curtail the province’s constitutional rights. He appealed to the central government to reconsider the decision. He also said that his party would raise the issue on constitutional and legal forums to protect people’s rights, provincial autonomy and the democratic system. Governor appeals to people to unite Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said the decision had been taken to establish peace in the province and promote the people’s welfare and development. He appealed to people to set aside political differences and unite. According to Kundi, the people and security forces had made great sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. The need now was to ensure that these sacrifices did not go in vain and that lasting peace was established in the province. Appointment of new chief secretary After governor’s rule was imposed, the central government appointed Dr Muhammad Fakhr Alam Irfan as the Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He previously served as secretary in the Power Division of Pakistan’s Ministry of Energy. According to the government notification, his appointment will take effect immediately and remain in force until further orders.