Shehbaz tells cabinet K-P govt failed to protect citizens
PM Shehbaz Sharif addresses a federal cabinet meeting. PHOTO: PPI
ISLAMABAD:
The federal cabinet on Sunday recommended that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advise the president to invoke Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution to impose an emergency in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), citing the deteriorating security situation and the provincial government's detachment from the fight against terrorism.
The cabinet meeting, chaired by the prime minister, reviewed the worsening law and order situation and rising terrorist violence in the province. Members were given a comprehensive briefing on the security crisis before recommending the invocation of the constitutional provisions.
Addressing the meeting, Shehbaz criticised the K-P government for failing to tackle rising terrorism, saying the federal government would no longer remain a silent spectator. He expressed particular concern over the situation in Tank and Dera Ismail Khan, where residents have borne the brunt of terrorist attacks, and condemned the provincial leadership's silence and lack of empathy towards victims.
The prime minister said that, despite two days of negotiations between federal coalition leaders from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) delegation, K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had rejected the final consensus draft at the eleventh hour.
"Despite reaching a finalised draft agreement, the K-P chief minister backed out at the eleventh hour," he said, alleging that the move reflected a lack of willingness to pursue peace. He added that calls to cancel upcoming protest marches had been met with defiance.
Shehbaz further accused the provincial leadership of undermining efforts to secure political agreement, while praising coalition leaders Rana Sanaullah, Mohsin Naqvi, Amir Muqam, Syed Naveed Qamar and Sherry Rehman, as well as mediator Maulana Fazlur Rehman, for participating in the two-day negotiations.
Criticising the provincial leadership over its "sinister role" and attempts to "invade Islamabad to reenact past foul play", Shehbaz said: "We will not remain silent in the face of such a situation. The law will take its course; we will not allow such acts."
He accused the provincial leadership of prioritising political obstruction over the safety of its citizens and urged cabinet members to take firm decisions to address the escalating security crisis. "They ruled for 13 years and are now pushing Pakistan to destruction," he said.
The prime minister recalled that all four provinces had voluntarily agreed under the 2010 National Finance Commission (NFC) Award to allocate an additional 1% share of financial resources to K-P. He said the allocation had amounted to roughly Rs800 billion over the years and was intended to strengthen the province's police force against terrorism.
Shehbaz said the funds were meant to bolster Counter-Terrorism Departments (CTDs), fortify police stations, improve intelligence capabilities, recruit personnel and procure modern weapons but neither the police nor the CTD had been meaningfully strengthened, while terrorism continued unchecked.
He criticised the provincial leadership for failing to condemn terrorist attacks or express sympathy for families whose children had been orphaned by violence. "Instead of standing up against terrorists, they are not only silent, but the situation is getting worse every day," he said, adding that the provincial government's alleged detachment from the counter-terrorism campaign amounted to aiding the menace.
Accusing the provincial leadership of plotting to march on Islamabad, the prime minister warned against a repeat of past disorder, disruption and economic damage. He said Pakistan's hard-won macroeconomic stability, reflected in State Bank reserves, controlled inflation and targeted fuel subsidies benefiting more than 50 million citizens, would not be sacrificed to political enmity.
Gulf mediation
The prime minister also highlighted Pakistan's diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in the Gulf and secure ceasefires, saying Islamabad was working closely with Saudi Arabia and Qatar while engaging with Iran.
He acknowledged the roles of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in these efforts. Shehbaz condemned regional escalations and threats to key waterways, including the Bab-al-Mandab Strait, as well as drone attacks targeting holy sites.
President promulgates
Later, the advice to promulgate emergency in K-P was sent to the president, which was approved by Zardari, according to the President Secretariat Media Wing. "The President approved and signed the summary upon the Prime Minister's advice under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution of Pakistan," it said.
(WITH INPUTS FROM APP)