ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Monday said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) can challenge the imposition of an emergency and Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in court if it has reservations over the decision.
Speaking to the media, Chaudhry said the constitutional validity of the emergency would be examined by parliament, adding that the measure had been taken due to PTI’s alleged stubbornness and failure to cooperate with the federal government on counterterrorism efforts.
He said the government had sought PTI’s cooperation in combating terrorism, but the provincial government had allegedly continued to create obstacles in the federal government’s efforts.
“The opposition should challenge the imposition of an emergency and Governor’s Rule in court,” he said, adding that the opposition should also invite the government to its all-parties conference (APC) so that all relevant data could be presented before the participants.
Chaudhry said the federal government had made repeated offers of dialogue to the opposition leader and maintained that the government had never closed the door to negotiations on political issues.
He clarified that the government had not asked PTI to postpone its long march but had sought cooperation on counterterrorism efforts.
The minister said special security arrangements had been made in 12 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding that the emergency measures were aimed at restoring lasting peace in the province.
He said the emergency would remain in force until the objectives of peace and stability had been achieved.
Chaudhry further said the imposition of the emergency had not been an abrupt decision. He added that affected areas would be cleared before being handed over to the civil administration.
Claiming that the people of KP had welcomed the decision, the minister said no protests had taken place anywhere in the province against the imposition of emergency or Governor’s Rule. He also attributed public dissatisfaction with PTI to what he described as a lack of development in the province over the past 13 years.
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The remarks came amid heightened political tensions following the imposition of Governor’s Rule and an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
President Asif Ali Zardari approved the measures on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution.