The PML-N president backs emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, criticising PTI’s governance and response to security challenges.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — WEB DESK: Former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Nawaz Sharif has backed the federal government’s decision to impose emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), saying the intervention should have taken place earlier.
Speaking at a meeting in London, Nawaz said the province’s law and order situation had become increasingly alarming under the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led administration. He argued that federal authorities should have intervened sooner to address the security and administrative challenges facing the province.
The former prime minister also criticised PTI’s governance record, alleging that successive party administrations had failed to deliver effective governance and adequately serve the interests of ordinary residents.
His remarks came amid a political confrontation over the federal government’s suspension of the PTI-led provincial administration and the transfer of executive authority under emergency arrangements.
Nawaz backs federal intervention in KP
Nawaz described emergency and governor’s rule as necessary measures in response to the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He maintained that the federal government should not have waited as security concerns continued to mount.
The PML-N president’s position aligns with the federal government’s stated justification for the intervention, which officials have linked to security challenges and alleged shortcomings in the provincial administration’s counterterrorism efforts.
Nawaz also said the people of KP were patriotic Pakistanis who deserved effective leadership and better governance.
His comments represent the PML-N leadership’s assessment of the provincial administration. The allegations about PTI’s performance remain contested by the party.
Nawaz criticises PTI’s governance record
The former prime minister accused PTI of causing serious damage to the province during its years in power. He argued that the party had failed to fulfil its responsibilities towards residents and questioned its approach to provincial administration.
Nawaz also raised objections to the use of provincial government resources for political confrontation with the federal authorities.
He questioned whether a provincial chief minister should use official resources to organise a march on the federal capital and challenge the federation.
His remarks reflected the wider dispute between the PML-N-led federal government and PTI over political protests, provincial authority and the use of public resources.
PTI has rejected the federal government’s intervention and described the emergency measures as unconstitutional and politically motivated. The party has challenged the decision in court.
Why was emergency imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?
President Asif Ali Zardari approved the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in KP on October 11, 2026, following recommendations from the federal government.
Federal officials cited the province’s deteriorating security situation and concerns about cooperation between the provincial administration and federal authorities in counterterrorism operations.
The measures suspended the PTI-led provincial government and transferred executive authority under the emergency arrangements.
The federal government has argued that constitutional intervention was necessary to address security challenges. PTI, meanwhile, has opposed the decision, disputing the government’s justification and arguing that the move undermines the elected provincial administration.
Parliament approved the emergency measures during a joint sitting on October 15, adding a further institutional dimension to the dispute.
PTI challenges the decision
PTI has challenged the emergency and governor’s rule in the Peshawar High Court, seeking the restoration of the elected provincial government.
The legal challenge places the constitutional basis and implementation of the federal intervention at the centre of the next phase of the dispute.
The case is also part of a broader confrontation between the federal government and PTI over provincial autonomy, counterterrorism policy and the political future of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Nawaz’s latest remarks add support from a senior PML-N figure to the government’s position that the intervention was necessary and should have occurred earlier.
