Members of the Balochistan Assembly have expressed contrasting views on the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), with opposition leader Dr Abdul Malik Baloch warning that such measures could weaken the federation.
Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, a former chief minister of Balochistan and leader of the National Party, condemned the move, calling for the immediate restoration of the elected provincial government.
He said Pakistan’s Constitution contained not only Articles 232 and 234, but also Article 1, which defines the country as a federation.
“We are happy with democracy in name only,” he said, warning that measures against the elected government in KP could alienate the province from the federation.
Dr Abdul Malik said insecurity in the province had persisted since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan.
However, he warned that extraordinary constitutional measures could have consequences beyond KP.
Urging the authorities to exercise caution, he said the country could not afford further damage. He added that previous instances of emergency rule and governor’s rule had contributed to public hardship and economic distress.
It is worth noting that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), which also sits on the opposition benches in the Balochistan Assembly, had already tabled resolutions opposing emergency and governor’s rule in KP.
On the other hand, government members of the Balochistan Assembly defended the move; Mir Zahoor Buledi, Mir Saleem Khosa and Prince Agha Umar Ahmedzai defended the decision, arguing that extraordinary measures were necessary to address the security situation in KP.
Mir Zahoor Buledi said the Constitution’s emergency provisions had been designed to deal with exceptional circumstances.
He claimed that six districts in KP had become no-go areas and accused the provincial government of failing to cooperate with security forces in tackling terrorism.
He also criticized what he described as confrontation between a provincial government and the federal authorities.
Provincial minister Mir Saleem Khosa said the decision to impose emergency measures in KP had been taken out of necessity.
Khosa also accused the KP government of failing to cooperate with the armed forces, police and civilian administration.
Prince Agha Umar Ahmedzai argued that similar action should be considered in Balochistan if it became necessary to safeguard the state, while acknowledging that the circumstances in the two provinces were different.