Islamabad, September 30, 2026: Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said on Wednesday that the federal government was “seriously considering” imposing an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) over the security situation in the province.
Speaking to journalists at Parliament House, the minister said the government was considering invoking Article 232 of the Constitution, citing what he described as the KP government’s failure to curb terrorism and maintain law and order.
“The federal government is seriously considering the imposition of emergency in KP,” Chaudhry said, adding that terrorism had increased rapidly in the province.
The minister’s comments came amid heightened political tensions between the federal and KP governments and ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) planned October 4 long march towards Islamabad. The party had earlier postponed the march from September 27 to October 4.
PTI is preparing for a major protest and march on Islamabad, demanding the release of its founder Imran Khan and what it calls the restoration of constitutional supremacy.
Chaudhry said the proposed emergency was being considered because of the KP government’s alleged failure to counter terrorism and maintain law and order.
“KP government had become an obstacle to the federal government’s efforts to prevent terrorism,” he said.
The minister maintained that the move was not being considered because of political differences with PTI. He said the federal government was prepared to face any political repercussions arising from an emergency if it was deemed necessary to address the security situation.
He said civilians and security personnel responsible for maintaining law and order were losing their lives amid the deteriorating security situation in the province.
Comparing the situation with Balochistan, Chaudhry said terrorism also existed there, but the provincial government was taking measures to address the threat.
He also said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had consistently opposed terrorism and would cooperate with the government if an emergency were imposed in KP.
The minister’s remarks follow earlier statements in which he said that no final decision had been taken on imposing an emergency in the province. He had also distinguished an emergency from Governor’s Rule, saying that an emergency would not dissolve the provincial assembly.
Meanwhile, a PPP delegation led by Senator Naveed Qamar will meet National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on Wednesday, Chaudhry said.
He said matters related to legislation would be discussed during the meeting in view of the prevailing circumstances.
