Islamabad, October 10,2026: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday to discuss the country’s overall security and political situation as the federal government considers various options, including the possible imposition of an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to a statement issued by the President House, the prime minister was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders Sherry Rehman and Syed Naveed Qamar also attended the meeting.
The statement said it was agreed during the meeting that separate sessions of the National Assembly and Senate would be convened on Tuesday, October 13.
The meeting comes amid escalating differences between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led federal government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led administration in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly over counterterrorism policy and the provincial government’s approach to security challenges.
The differences also contributed to the breakdown of talks between the two sides on October 3. The PTI has accused the federal government of excluding it from security-related decisions concerning the province, a charge denied by the Centre. The party has called for a review of the counterterrorism policy, while federal ministers have criticised the KP government’s efforts to combat terrorism and its position on dialogue with the Afghan Taliban.
Federal ministers have also criticised the PTI’s planned protest march towards Islamabad, linking the political confrontation with the province’s security challenges and raising the possibility of emergency measures or governor’s rule.
Federal government says emergency would be a last resort
Minister of State for Interior Affairs Tallal Chaudhry said consultations were underway regarding the possible imposition of an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, describing it as a measure the government was not inclined to pursue but would consider as a last resort.
He said various options were being examined at different levels, adding that the government had attempted negotiations and backchannel discussions to secure cooperation from the provincial administration on counterterrorism efforts.
Chaudhry maintained that the federal government was willing to provide the province with the resources needed to combat terrorism, provided the provincial administration worked alongside the Centre and security forces.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had previously directed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa be provided the necessary assistance to fight terrorism, emphasising that the issue should be addressed collectively rather than through political confrontation.
The state minister said the government’s priority was national security and peace rather than political interests, adding that consultations would continue before any final decision was taken.
Earlier, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar criticised the KP government over what he described as poor governance and inadequate investment in counterterrorism infrastructure.
Tarar alleged that the province had received Rs700 billion under the National Finance Commission arrangement for development but had failed to adequately upgrade its Counter Terrorism Department, establish forensic laboratories or install Safe City surveillance cameras, particularly in merged districts and at district entry and exit points.
He further alleged that the PTI was prioritising political protests over these security-related requirements.
Shehbaz, Fazlur Rehman discuss easing tensions
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke by telephone with Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to discuss ways to reduce tensions between the federal government and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz congratulated Fazlur Rehman on performing Umrah and invited him to the Prime Minister House for discussions.
A subsequent JUI-F statement confirmed that Fazlur Rehman had departed for the meeting to discuss the country’s political situation. The party said its chief had also taken the PTI leadership into confidence before proceeding to the talks.
Fazlur Rehman has recently engaged with both the government and opposition in efforts to revive dialogue. Earlier this week, he advised the federal government against obstructing the PTI’s planned march towards Islamabad, describing peaceful protest as a democratic right.
JUI-F spokesperson Aslam Ghauri said his party chief was acting as a facilitator rather than a mediator, explaining that the party’s priority was to bring both sides to the negotiating table.
He also called for a multi-party conference at Parliament House to discuss political and security issues, saying renewed dialogue would benefit both sides.
The latest developments come amid continuing uncertainty over the resumption of negotiations between the government and opposition, with the political confrontation unfolding alongside growing concerns over security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
