Emergency declared in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, report says presidential rule begins

An emergency has been declared in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and presidential rule has begun, according to a report. The measure was taken under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, the report said. The central government has accused the PTI administration of failing to manage law and order in the province.

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Decision follows PTI protests

PTI workers and supporters have been holding rallies and a march demanding the release of former prime minister Imran Khan. The march began on October 5, according to the report. The protests have taken place as the central government questioned the PTI government’s handling of the law-and-order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Governor warns of action

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said people who took the law into their own hands would face action with an “iron hand”. The report also claimed that the government was identifying protesters as militants. The province was described as having been repeatedly affected by attacks by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

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Security tightened in Islamabad

Security has been increased on major roads in Islamabad, while containers have been used to block roads, according to the report. It also said that at least 2,000 people had been arrested. PTI chairman Gohar Ali Khan has opposed the decision to impose emergency rule.

Gohar Ali Khan described the development as “extremely concerning” and called it “a dangerous political mistake made undemocratically”.