President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday proclaimed an emergency and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, citing the province's worsening security situation, Geo reported. [E1] AP reported that the northwestern province borders Afghanistan and that its government is led by imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party, ahead of a planned march on Islamabad by supporters demanding his release. [E10]
The measures have been approved under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, the President House said in a statement, Dawn reported. The two provisions pertain to the proclamation of emergency and governor's rule. [E13]
The decision followed recommendations from the federal cabinet and law-and-order reports submitted by relevant security institutions, Geo reported. [E2]
A Prime Minister's Office statement said cabinet members reviewed the situation and took note of the "provincial government's deliberate disengagement from the fight against terrorism", Dawn reported. The members proposed, given the "gravity" of the situation, that the prime minister advise the president to exercise "his constitutional authority and impose an emergency in the province under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution". [E14]
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced an 11-member advisory council, which will run provincial affairs under the governor, AP reported. [E16]
Governor Kundi is to lead the council, and the arrangement is to remain in place for six months, the law minister said, Geo reported. [E1]
The powers of the provincial government have ended, and the powers of the Chief Minister have also ended, Geo reported. [E15]
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's planned march towards Islamabad was thrown into disarray as the federal government's imposition of an emergency and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa effectively stripped the party of its provincial power base, while a sweeping security crackdown disrupted its mobilisation on the ground, Tribune reported. [E7]
The federal government has also approved the deployment of the Pakistan Army in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Article 245 of the Constitution, according to a notification, Geo reported. The army will assist the administration, protect citizens' lives and safeguard public property and government installations. The deployment will remain in place for the duration of the emergency imposed on October 11. [E3]
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi accused the provincial government of neglecting counterterrorism efforts while focusing on securing Khan's release, AP reported. [E11]
Khan's spokesperson Zulfiquar Bukhari condemned the suspension of the provincial government, calling it a "disguised coup," AP reported. [E12]
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf claimed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and provincial party president Junaid Akbar were arrested, calling the move "political victimisation", Geo reported. [E4]
Police arrested 59 PTI workers in Swabi and six others in Khyber district, Tribune reported, while reports emerged that ousted chief minister Sohail Afridi and the party's provincial president Junaid Akbar had also been taken into custody. [E8]
Some people who are "wanted" in cases have been detained to ensure law and order, the government confirmed, Geo reported. [E5]
No official statement has been issued regarding the reported arrests so far, Geo reported. [E6]
The PTI chairman said the party would challenge governor's rule through the courts, provincial and national assemblies, and public forums, Tribune reported. [E9]