ISLAMABAD, Oct 20 (APP):Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary on Tuesday said the imposition of emergency and Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa followed the provincial government’s lack of cooperation with the federal government and state institutions in the fight against terrorism.
Addressing a press conference, he said emergency and Governor’s Rule were imposed through a presidential order on October 11 under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, respectively. Both measures were subsequently endorsed by Parliament and a joint sitting, completing the constitutional requirements, he added.
He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi had assumed the powers of the provincial government, while an 11-member advisory council comprising highly qualified professionals with distinguished records in their respective fields had been constituted to assist him.
Local tribal elders had also been included in councils formed for 12 terrorism-affected districts to ensure community participation in consultations and intelligence-based operations.
Dr Tariq Fazal said the imposition of emergency might have been avoided had the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial government cooperated with the federal government, state institutions, law enforcement agencies and security forces in counterterrorism efforts.
He recalled that during negotiations held in Islamabad on the prime minister’s direction, the federal government had sought the provincial government’s cooperation and assurances regarding counterterrorism measures.
The minister said terrorism had affected the entire country and could not be controlled without full cooperation between the provincial government, federal institutions, the armed forces and security agencies.
He added that terrorist incidents had increased significantly, particularly over the past two years, while personnel and officers of the armed forces, police and Frontier Corps continued to sacrifice their lives in counterterrorism operations.
He said Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had contacted the provincial leadership several times through back-channel communications to seek cooperation, with some contacts reported in the media and others remaining unreported.
However, he said that the provincial government’s non-cooperation had continued, leaving the federal government with no option but to take the decision.
Dr Tariq Fazal also identified cross-border infiltration from Afghanistan as a major security challenge and alleged that the provincial government had refused to cooperate with the federal government’s policy to address the issue.
He said the federal government possessed information about the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa beyond what had been reported in the media and was committed, alongside the security forces, to controlling infiltration and eliminating terrorism.
The minister urged all opposition parties to develop a political consensus against terrorism, saying national security, peace and the future of Pakistan’s children must remain above political differences.
He said he had invited opposition parties for talks the previous day and was reiterating his call for them to sit together and formulate a joint strategy against terrorism.
“Why can’t we develop a consensus on at least one issue that is directly linked to the country’s peace and the future of its children?” he asked, urging political parties to join hands with the federal government in the fight against terrorism.
Criticising PTI, Dr Tariq Fazal said the party had remained in power in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for 12 to 13 years but had been unable to establish the desired level of peace, particularly over the past two to two-and-a-half years.
He questioned the party’s approach to counterterrorism, saying security personnel were sacrificing their lives while political activities and protests continued on the streets. He urged the PTI leadership to reconsider its position, engage with the federal government and develop consensus on counterterrorism efforts.
He said intelligence-based operations were already under way in the province and called on opposition parties to participate in these efforts rather than oppose them.
Referring to previous negotiations between the government and opposition, Dr Tariq Fazal said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had invited the opposition for talks and the government had participated in the process sincerely.
He said representatives of both sides had held extensive discussions over two days, working on several drafts until around 2:30am. According to him, the government had incorporated the opposition’s proposals into the draft agreement, but the opposition leadership ultimately rejected it.
He clarified that his criticism was not directed at the six opposition representatives who participated in the negotiations. Instead, he questioned the role of the broader opposition leadership in rejecting the proposed agreement.
The minister said the negotiations had initially proposed imposing emergency measures in 12 terrorism-affected districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to facilitate cooperation between the provincial and federal governments in restoring peace.
The proposal was subsequently narrowed to five districts, where the opposition was asked to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and support operations against terrorists. However, he said, the opposition had not accepted even the revised proposal.
Questioning the provincial government’s approach, he asked whether restoring peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was solely the federal government’s responsibility.
He said provincial governments facing terrorism generally sought additional federal security personnel, resources and intelligence-based operations, whereas the federal government had repeatedly urged the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to cooperate with law enforcement agencies.
Dr Tariq Fazal reiterated that the government remained ready to resume negotiations. He said the prime minister had again extended an invitation to the opposition from the floor of the House, making it clear that talks could take place if the opposition was willing.
Comparing the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Balochistan, the minister said terrorism was also a serious challenge in the latter province, but its provincial administration and chief minister were cooperating with federal institutions and law enforcement agencies in the fight against militants.
He said the Balochistan chief minister was confronting terrorists on the front line and cooperating with security agencies rather than refusing to participate in counterterrorism operations. He described this difference between the approaches of the two provincial administrations as significant in addressing the country’s security challenges.
He expressed regret that some people were linking the imposition of emergency and Governor’s Rule to other issues, including mineral resources.
The minister said the people of a province had the first right to benefit from its natural resources. International companies involved in joint exploration projects, he added, were expected to follow international standards and ensure that exploration activities did not create difficulties for local communities.
He said all four provinces needed further investment in education and healthcare, adding that revenues generated from natural resources, including minerals, oil and gas, could help finance development and improve public services. However, he stressed that political consensus and a conducive environment were essential for effectively utilising these resources.
He also said Pakistan was being recognised internationally as a regional stabilising force, referring to the efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. He urged political parties not to undermine the country’s progress through political confrontation.
He expressed confidence that lasting peace would eventually be established in the province, paving the way for development and prosperity.
“We can sacrifice politics, but we cannot sacrifice the state, national interests or state institutions,” he said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to national security, stability and development.