ISLAMABAD: Amid growing tensions between the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the Centre is “seriously” weighing the imposition of an emergency over the worsening security situation in the province.
Speaking to journalists at Parliament House on Wednesday, Chaudhry said the proposal was linked to the provincial government’s failure to contain terrorism and maintain law and order.
“The federal government is seriously considering the imposition of emergency in KP,” the minister said, claiming that terrorist activity had increased significantly across the province.
His remarks come amid heightened tensions between the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments, as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) prepares for its October 4 march towards Islamabad. The party had earlier postponed the protest from September 27.
PTI is seeking the release of its incarcerated founder Imran Khan and calling for the restoration of constitutional supremacy. The federal government, meanwhile, has expressed concerns over security and law-and-order arrangements surrounding the planned demonstration.
Chaudhry rejected the suggestion that political differences with PTI were behind the proposed emergency, saying the move was being considered because of the KP government’s failure to address terrorism and maintain law and order.
He said that the provincial administration had become an obstacle to federal efforts aimed at combating terrorism.
The minister said the federal government was prepared to face any political consequences arising from the decision, arguing that the deteriorating security situation had resulted in the deaths of civilians and security personnel responsible for maintaining law and order.
Comparing KP with Balochistan, Chaudhry said terrorism was also a challenge in the latter province but claimed that its chief minister was taking measures to counter the threat.
He further said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had consistently opposed terrorism and would cooperate with the federal government if an emergency were imposed in KP.
