The Pakistan government also authorised the deployment of the Pakistan Army in aid of civil power. In Peshawar, shipping containers were placed to block roads amid a heavy police deployment
TBS Report
12 October, 2026, 10:45 am
Last modified: 12 October, 2026, 10:49 am
Pakistan's federal government has imposed an emergency and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, citing the provincial government's handling of counterterrorism efforts and a worsening law-and-order situation.
President Asif Ali Zardari approved the measures on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the federal cabinet, invoking Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, respectively, says Dawn.
The cabinet cited the provincial government's "deliberate disengagement from the fight against terrorism" as a primary reason for the intervention. Sharif said the federal government could not allow the provincial leadership to derail economic stability or undermine security operations.
The federal government also authorised the deployment of the Pakistan Army in aid of civil power. In Peshawar, shipping containers were placed to block roads amid a heavy police deployment. Targeted disruptions to mobile and internet services were also reported in parts of the province.
An 11-member technocratic KP Advisory Council was formed to assist Governor Faisal Karim Kundi in overseeing the provincial administration.
Dr. Muhammad Fakhr Alam Irfan was appointed chief secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while senior Pakistan Administrative Service officer Muhammad Yahya Akhunzada was transferred to the provincial administration.
The move drew opposition from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), whose chairman, Barrister Gohar Khan, and parliamentary committee rejected the decision, describing it as an unconstitutional assault on provincial autonomy and the public mandate.
PTI announced plans to challenge the decision in court, in assemblies and through public forums.
PTI leaders also alleged that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Member of the National Assembly Junaid Akbar had been detained or abducted, describing the alleged actions as political victimisation.
Federal Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry confirmed that detentions had been made in connection with law and order but did not confirm the identities of those detained.
The opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayin-e-Pakistan (TTAP) also condemned the imposition of governor's rule as unconstitutional. The alliance questioned why similar extraordinary measures had not been taken in Balochistan despite severe security challenges there.