PTI’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa parliamentary party seeks negotiations with the federal government to reverse emergency measures and restore the elected provincial government.
WEB DESK: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has sought negotiations with the federal government to end governor’s rule and emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), as the party looks to restore the province’s elected government under Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
The latest move follows decisions taken during PTI’s parliamentary party meetings, in which lawmakers opposed the federal government’s constitutional measures and called for the restoration of the provincial administration.
According to reports, the party has authorised former KP chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur to pursue political contacts with federal government representatives.
PTI Reopens Communication With Federal Government
PTI has resumed contact with the federal government following the breakdown of political negotiations after governor’s rule was imposed in KP on October 11.
According to party sources, Gandapur contacted two federal ministers who had previously been part of the government’s negotiating team.
The contacts were made under the authority granted to him during a PTI parliamentary party meeting held on October 20.
The party is seeking a political solution to the situation and wants negotiations to address the restoration of its elected provincial government.
Restoration of Sohail Afridi Government Among PTI’s Priorities
Restoring the government led by Sohail Afridi is among PTI’s main demands.
The party has opposed the imposition of governor’s rule, arguing that the move undermines provincial autonomy and the constitutional rights of an elected administration.
During its parliamentary party meeting in Islamabad, PTI also demanded the release of detained political leaders, including Afridi, provincial assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati and Junaid Akbar Khan.
The party called for an immediate end to emergency measures and the restoration of the elected provincial government.
PTI Parliamentary Party Calls for Political Dialogue
PTI’s joint parliamentary party meeting, attended by more than 70 lawmakers according to party representatives, discussed the political situation and the party’s future strategy.
Barrister Ali Zafar said the parliamentary group had finalised a strategy and would continue its political and parliamentary efforts.
The meeting also decided that recommendations would be presented to opposition leaders Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas for further consultations.
The party called for cooperation among opposition groups and continued engagement through constitutional and parliamentary forums.
Federal Government Maintains Emergency Measures Are Necessary
The federal government has defended its decision to impose governor’s rule and emergency in KP, citing security challenges and the need for stronger counterterrorism coordination.
Parliament endorsed the presidential proclamations during a joint sitting on October 15.
Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry subsequently said governor’s rule would end after six months, while the emergency would remain until peace was restored.
He maintained that the measures were intended to improve security and administration rather than take political control of the province.
Political and Legal Dispute Continues
PTI has also challenged the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in the Peshawar High Court, seeking restoration of the elected provincial government.
The party argues that the measures were unconstitutional and violated provincial autonomy.
The federal government, meanwhile, maintains that the steps were taken under the relevant constitutional provisions in response to security concerns.
The Peshawar High Court has sought responses from the federal government and other authorities on the petitions.
