Islamabad/Peshawar, October 11,2026: The federal government has authorised the deployment of Pakistan Army troops and assets in aid of civil power in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) following the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in the province.
According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Interior under Article 245 of the Constitution through SRO (1)/2026, the deployment is aimed at protecting lives, safeguarding public and private property, and securing government installations.
The duration of the deployment will remain linked to the earlier proclamation of emergency and imposition of governor’s rule. KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, in consultation with the Military Operations Directorate at General Headquarters (GHQ), will determine the number of troops and assets required.
The order was issued by Section Officer CAF(C) Dr GM Mahmoodi, with copies forwarded to relevant officials and institutions, including the President’s Secretariat, the Prime Minister’s Office, the KP Governor’s Secretariat, GHQ’s Military Operations Directorate, the provincial home secretary, the inspector general of police and the registrar of the Peshawar High Court.
The emergency and governor’s rule were imposed on Sunday after President Asif Ali Zardari approved recommendations from the federal cabinet under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution.
The development came a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met President Zardari to discuss the security situation.
The move has further intensified tensions between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz-led federal government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led provincial administration over counterterrorism policy and engagement with the Afghan Taliban.
PTI has maintained that it was excluded from key security-related decisions and has called for a review of the counterterrorism policy, while opposing military operations. The federal government, meanwhile, has criticised the provincial government’s efforts to tackle terrorism.
Containers block roads across Peshawar
Meanwhile, security was tightened across Peshawar, with shipping containers placed at several locations to restrict movement towards key roads and sensitive installations.
Containers were positioned near the railway station to block routes leading towards Khyber Bazaar and Shoba Bazaar. Additional barriers were placed near Edwardes College to block access to Jail Road and the Malik Saad Shaheed Flyover.
Mall Road was also blocked near Bala Hisar Fort and outside the Pakistan International Airlines office.
A heavy police presence was reported, particularly around Governor House, with personnel called in from other districts. Only official vehicles were allowed to travel from Governor House towards the Chief Minister’s House.
RA Bazaar was closed, while parts of Saddar remained open. The closure of Khyber Road, a major route connecting GT Road with the eastern side of University Road, caused traffic congestion and forced commuters to take alternative routes.
The affected area includes parts of the cantonment and the Red Zone, which houses several key installations, including the Corps Commander’s House, Civil Secretariat, Central Police Office, Chief Minister’s Secretariat and House, and Governor House.
Telecommunication services, including landline connections and DSL internet, were also reportedly suspended in parts of the provincial capital.
On Saturday, KP Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed placed district police on alert amid concerns about possible violent protests or sabotage in the event of emergency rule.
Under the notification, district police officers were authorised to regulate protests, take measures to ensure public safety and initiate legal action if demonstrations turned violent. The directions also called for caution in the use of force.
KP House sealed in Islamabad
In Islamabad, the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aiyeen Pakistan (TTAP) was unable to hold a press conference at KP House after the premises were sealed.
The alliance subsequently approached the National Press Club, but its request to hold the event there was also turned down despite an offer to pay the required fee.
TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Ahmed Yousafzai told media that the alliance had decided to move the press conference to Jamia Al Wilaya near Bhara Kahu on Murree Expressway.
“Now we have decided to hold the presser at Bhara Kahu,” he said.
