The federal government of Pakistan has reportedly taken direct control of the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, previously governed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party associated with imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan. President Asif Ali Zardari purportedly signed a proclamation on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, imposing a state of emergency under the claim that the provincial administration could no longer function constitutionally.

Federal authorities claimed the drastic measure was allegedly necessary to combat surging terrorism and restore public order. However, the PTI party strongly rejected these justifications, maintaining that the intervention is a politically motivated crackdown. The escalation follows the total collapse of negotiations between the federal authorities and PTI regarding planned protests demanding the release of ex-PM Khan.

Under the newly enacted measures, provincial legislative powers have been transferred to the federal parliament, while executive authority is assumed by Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, backed by an advisory council. Reports indicate that former Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and several other prominent PTI figures have been placed under detention. Legal analysts point out that the suspension of key constitutional safeguards grants the executive sweeping powers, including the temporary absorption of judicial functions in designated districts.

Opposition leaders have criticized the blanket imposition of emergency rule across the entire province, arguing that security issues should not serve as a pretext for dismantling elected local governance. PTI leadership has announced plans to challenge the measures legally and politically, signaling that their ongoing struggle against the current administration is far from over.

Source: www.aljazeera.com