Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif defends emergency measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, criticises PTI over the province’s security situation and pledges to restore peace.
WEB DESK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday defended the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying the federal government had taken the decision under “extreme compulsion” amid security concerns.
Addressing a federal apex committee meeting in Peshawar on October 22, the prime minister criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial administration over what he described as a worsening security situation. He also pledged to work with Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir to restore peace and accelerate development in the province.
Shehbaz defends emergency measures
The prime minister said the federal government had been compelled to intervene after efforts to address the province’s security challenges failed to produce the desired outcome.
Emergency and governor’s rule were imposed in KP on October 11, following a federal cabinet review of the security situation. The government cited concerns about rising militancy and what it described as insufficient provincial cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.
Parliament’s joint sitting approved the proclamation of emergency on October 15, according to the National Assembly’s official record.
PM levels criticism at PTI government
During the Peshawar meeting, Shehbaz accused the previous provincial administration of failing to adequately strengthen policing, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and public safety infrastructure.
Geo News reported that the prime minister cited approximately 5,000 vacant police positions and an incomplete Safe City project. He also claimed that more than Rs800 billion had been provided to KP through the National Finance Commission framework for counterterrorism-related needs.
The prime minister further alleged financial wrongdoing involving a clean drinking water project and the Kohistan mega scandal. He claimed Rs100 billion had been embezzled from the water project and that corruption worth Rs37 billion had been uncovered in the Kohistan case.
Pledge to restore peace and development
Shehbaz said the federal government would cooperate with military leadership and the provincial advisory council to improve security and provide basic services.
He expressed hope that the province would make progress in development and prosperity, saying the people of KP deserved peace and access to essential facilities. The meeting was attended by Field Marshal Asim Munir, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, federal ministers and newly appointed provincial advisers.
Political dispute continues
The emergency measures remain a source of tension between the federal government and PTI. The Centre has defended its decision on security grounds, while PTI has opposed the measures and challenged the federal approach to the province’s administration and counterterrorism policy.
The next developments will depend on the implementation of the emergency arrangements, security measures and any further political or legal challenges. Any new decisions announced by the apex committee should be confirmed through an official communiqué.
