Pakistan’s National Assembly on Wednesday endorsed the imposition of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) through a majority vote. The decision followed a debate on a presidential proclamation issued by President Asif Ali Zardari on October 11, 2026. Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq chaired the session.
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The House first approved a motion to suspend question hour so members could consider the emergency proclamation. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry presented the presidential order under Article 232 of the Constitution. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar then opened the debate on the government’s request for parliamentary approval.
Tarar said presenting the proclamation before Parliament and securing its approval fulfilled a constitutional requirement. He stated that the government had imposed emergency measures in response to internal disturbances and concerns about terrorism in the province. He also argued that the provincial government had not given sufficient attention to counterterrorism efforts.
The law minister cited 3,787 terrorist incidents recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the past year. He criticised the provincial government’s focus on political activities amid ongoing security challenges. Tarar also referred to concerns raised by the KP governor, who had reportedly communicated the situation to the president and prime minister through a letter.
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Tarar maintained that the government had considered emergency measures as a last resort after detailed deliberations. He said the decision aimed to protect the lives and property of people across the province. The National Assembly’s endorsement marks a significant constitutional and political development, while the implementation and wider consequences of the emergency remain important issues for the province.