ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar said on Monday that the federal government had no choice but to impose an emergency and Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in view of the worsening security situation and persistent threat of terrorism.
Addressing a seminar on terrorism in KP, Dar said the decision was not politically motivated but had been taken in response to the menace of terrorism that had plagued the province over the past decade.
“Imposing an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was not an easy decision. The government had no option left other than to take these measures,” he said.
Dar questioned whether the country could continue to ignore the security situation, stressing that ensuring the safety and security of citizens was the federal government’s responsibility.
“There was no solution other than what we did yesterday,” he said, adding that the government would fully implement the security measures and that their impact would become evident in the coming months.
He expressed hope that the people of KP would witness an improvement in the security situation and enjoy lasting peace.
Recalling the 2014 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) sit-in in Islamabad, Dar said he had negotiated with the party during the protest. He added that sit-ins and demonstrations had caused significant economic losses to the country.
The deputy prime minister said the government was using all available resources to eliminate terrorism from KP. He stressed the need for international cooperation to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies.
Read More: Governor’s rule in KP may remain in force until elections
A day earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari approved the imposition of Governor’s Rule and an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following a summary moved on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The presidential proclamation cited a sharp increase in terrorist incidents and serious security threats as grounds for the extraordinary constitutional measures.
It stated that attacks on government installations and law enforcement agencies had increased, posing significant risks to public safety and order.
The proclamation also stated that the provincial government had failed to take adequate measures to address terrorism and lawlessness.
It further referred to a report by the governor that raised concerns about disruptions in the constitutional system and the functioning of the provincial government.