Shortly after the National Assembly passed a resolution endorsing the federal government’s imposition of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday, the Senate also gave its approval for the measure.
The Centre had imposed governor’s rule and emergency in KP on Sunday, citing the provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement” from the fight against terrorism. The move followed weeks of political tensions between the Centre and the PTI after the latter announced a long march to Islamabad to demand the release of its jailed founder, Imran Khan.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry tabled the motions regarding the proclamation of emergency before both Houses.
In the Senate, the resolution was passed amid the opposition’s outcry, with PTI senators staging a walkout.
The Senate’s approval followed a heated debate between treasury and opposition members, during which Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar defended the procedural propriety presenting the resolution in the House and getting it approved.
He argued that a “constitutional resolution” had been laid before the House in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate. “Under Article 232, a copy of [the proclamation of] emergency has been laid before the House. An attempt to bypass the constitutional procedure cannot succeed,” he said, adding that the requirement of a seven-day notice for tabling a resolution did not apply to one presented under a constitutional necessity.
“If its opponents have any objections, they should reject the resolution through their vote after the debate. We cannot deviate from the Constitution and rules of the House,” he said.
As opposition voiced opposition to the resolution, Senate Chairperson Yousuf Raza Gilani asked them to exercise patience. “This is not a classroom, do not make noise,” he remarked as senators from the opposition benches continued sloganeering.
Among them, PTI’s Humayun Mohmand said independent Senator Faisal Vawda had said months ago that governor’s rule would be imposed. He alleged that terrorism being cited as the reason for the measure was just an excuse and the actual “target is the PTI”.
PTI-backed Senator Hamid Khan also argued that there “seems to be some other objectives behind governor’s rule and emergency”. Referring to the talks between the Centre and the opposition ahead of governor’s rule and emergency in KP, he alleged that negotiations “were just a drama” and were held “only to deceive the people”.
“The real decision was taken elsewhere long ago,” he claimed. He further said that Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who tried to mediate between the Centre and the opposition, had stated that while the negotiations were taking place, “a decision came”. “Governments formed on the basis of Form-47 do not have the real mandate,” he added. JUI-F’s Kamran Murtaza said the opposition’s resolution against governor’s rule should have also been included in the agenda for the day, but it was returned with objections.
Murtaza argued that the relevant material required for endorsement of enforcement of Article 232 and 234 – constitutional provision related to imposition of emergency and governor’s rule – had not been presented in the House.
Despite letters and applications, the government had not provided documents and material related to the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule, he said, adding that senators had to obtain that material through social media.
Members could not be satisfied with a decision until complete information came forth, he said. The NA question hour session was suspended due to discussions on the emergency. The motion in the lower House of Parliament was adopted with a majority vote after a discussion opened by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar.
“The National Assembly approves the Proclamation of Emergency issued by the President on the 11th October, 2026 in the Province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under second proviso of clause (1) of Article 232 of the Constitution,” read a post by NA’s official X account.
According to Article 232, if the “president acts on his own, the Proclamation of Emergency shall be placed” before both Houses of the Parliament for approval by each House within 10 days.
Meanwhile, a proclamation for governor’s rule issued under Article 234 “shall be laid before a joint sitting and shall cease to be in force at the expiration of two months”, unless a joint sitting approves its extension. However, such a measure shall not remain in force for more than six months.
Throughout Wednesday’s proceedings, opposition members participated calmly and did not stage any loud protest, unlike past instances when the PTI objects to the Centre.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also attended part of the session, with pictures released by the NA showing him shaking hands with Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai.
Federal ministers defended the emergency imposition while assailing what they described as the PTI-led KP government’s lack of will to combat terrorism.
At one point during the proceedings, NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq noted that the Oct 3 dialogue was held in a cordial atmosphere.
Sadiq praised both sides for “attempting more than their capacity so that the matter is settled”. However, he said some matters were beyond the parties’ control and voiced his support for forming the same committees for negotiations if ever needed in the future. Addressing PTI lawmakers, the speaker said, “Everyone’s response was that this [process of dialogue] should continue, but you also understand that your hands were tied.”
He took note of the PTI’s complaints regarding the jail conditions of party founder Imran Khan, adding that he had even provided details of facilities provided to the jailed ex-premier.
The session was adjourned to meet again at 11am today (Friday).