Islamabad, October 15,2026: A joint sitting of Parliament on Thursday approved the federal government’s imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amid strong protests from opposition lawmakers belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The session was convened to consider separate resolutions seeking parliamentary approval for the two measures, which the federal government announced on October 11, citing the provincial government’s alleged disengagement from counterterrorism efforts.
During hours of debate, government members defended the decision as necessary to address the deteriorating security situation, while opposition lawmakers rejected the move, describing it as unconstitutional and politically motivated.
Opposition members arrived at the session carrying placards bearing slogans such as “Emergency na manzoor” (emergency is unacceptable). Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended part of the proceedings and exchanged greetings with opposition leaders.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry tabled the proclamations and resolutions relating to emergency under Article 232 and governor’s rule under Article 234 of the Constitution.
The joint sitting also approved a motion to suspend certain sub-rules under Rule 232 of the Parliament (Joint Sitting) Rules, 1973, by 214 votes to 56, allowing the resolutions to be moved.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq subsequently put the two resolutions to a vote, and both were passed amid opposition chants.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar explained the constitutional requirements for parliamentary approval, while members from both sides presented their arguments. The session also offered prayers for the victims of the school roof collapse in Peshawar.
The joint sitting followed separate resolutions passed by the National Assembly and Senate a day earlier endorsing the imposition of emergency in the province.
Naqvi says government had no alternative
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told the session that the federal government had been left with no option but to impose emergency and governor’s rule after efforts to resolve differences with the KP government failed.
Recalling negotiations held on October 3, Naqvi said the federal government had attempted until the last moment to avoid the measures. He claimed the Centre had offered to declare an emergency in 12 districts of the province, an option that had initially received a positive response during the talks.
Naqvi said the government delegation had not abandoned the negotiations and urged opposition members to present the discussions accurately.
He also rejected allegations that the government was using terrorism as a pretext to target the PTI, saying the participants in the negotiations had shared a commitment to combating terrorism.
The interior minister criticised KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi for what he described as insufficient engagement with security operations and recalled efforts to improve police capabilities in five districts of the province.
Naqvi said the federal government wanted a meeting of the provincial apex committee and a joint declaration affirming a common commitment to fighting terrorism.
He stressed that the federation and the province could not pursue conflicting policies on counterterrorism, while adding that no political party should be accused of supporting terrorism without justification.
PTI rejects emergency, demands apology
PTI interim chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan rejected the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule, saying the country was passing through a fragile period that required political understanding rather than confrontation.
Gohar objected to allegations that the KP government was supporting terrorists, saying such statements had unfairly implicated the province and its people.
He recalled that the PTI had supported the government during Pakistan’s conflict with India and expressed disappointment over what he described as accusations against the party on terrorism.
The PTI leader said his party opposed terrorism and would work to eliminate the menace if it returned to power. He also rejected claims that PTI leaders had failed to attend the funerals of security personnel killed in attacks.
Gohar maintained that the party remained willing to engage in dialogue with the federal government, provided its concerns were addressed.
Speaking to reporters after the session, he condemned what he termed the illegal and unconstitutional dismissal of the provincial government and vowed to challenge the decision at every forum.
He also questioned the absence of two detained opposition lawmakers, Sanaullah Khan Masti Khel and Dawar Khan Kundi, despite the issuance of their production orders.
Gohar warned that allegations linking a provincial government to terrorism could have serious implications for Pakistan internationally and urged political leaders not to politicise the security challenge.
Dar defends government’s decision
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar defended the federal government’s decision, describing it as difficult but constitutionally justified.
He recalled that the 2014 Army Public School attack in Peshawar had prompted a national consensus on counterterrorism, including the formulation of the National Action Plan (NAP).
Dar cited military operations Zarb-i-Azb and Raddul Fasaad as examples of past efforts to counter terrorism, arguing that the country had made progress before militant violence resurged.
He said the PTI as a party opposed terrorism but alleged that certain individuals within it had contributed to the deteriorating security situation. He called for the issue to be addressed before other political differences.
Referring to the federal cabinet meeting on October 11, Dar said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had concluded that immediate action was necessary in view of the worsening security situation.
Dar also criticised the KP government’s handling of provincial affairs and urged the opposition not to misrepresent the constitutional basis of the federal government’s decision.
Achakzai calls for dialogue
National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai blamed what he described as faulty decisions by the country’s leadership for the prevailing political and security challenges.
He questioned the whereabouts of Sohail Afridi, who was reportedly in preventive custody, and criticised National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq’s handling of the proceedings.
Achakzai said the opposition was prepared to support dialogue on strengthening Parliament and eliminating terrorism, provided the discussions addressed these fundamental issues.
He also drew comparisons with past political crises and cautioned against decisions that could deepen divisions between the federation and the provinces.
Achakzai called for meetings between incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan and his family, friends and party workers.
Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas also criticised the government’s handling of negotiations, arguing that more time should have been allowed to reach an agreement.
He said political leaders should focus on resolving public problems rather than exchanging accusations, adding that the Constitution remained essential to protecting citizens’ rights.
Rehman disputes opposition’s account of talks
Pakistan Peoples Party Vice President Sherry Rehman challenged the PTI’s account of the October 3 negotiations, saying the government delegation had remained available for further discussions.
She said the government’s representatives had waited for the opposition delegation and were prepared to continue the talks into the early morning hours.
Rehman questioned the PTI’s objectives for its planned long march towards Islamabad and said the PPP had consistently advocated dialogue, particularly because terrorism remained a major concern.
However, she clarified that the PPP would not support any emergency measure that violated the Constitution. She said the Constitution had helped preserve national unity through difficult periods and warned against repeating the mistakes of the past.
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq also questioned the timing of the PTI’s planned march while negotiations were underway, urging the opposition to return to dialogue.
JUI-F questions constitutional grounds
Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl Senator Kamran Murtaza, who had earlier submitted a resolution opposing governor’s rule in KP, questioned the legal basis for the decision.
He argued that the proclamation under Article 234 required a report from the provincial governor explaining why governor’s rule was necessary. According to Murtaza, no such documentary evidence had been presented to Parliament.
He also pointed to security challenges in Balochistan and other parts of the country, questioning why similar measures had not been adopted elsewhere.
Murtaza said free and transparent elections under an impartial election commission offered a way to address the country’s political difficulties.
Under Article 232, a proclamation of emergency issued by the president must be presented to both Houses of Parliament for approval within the prescribed period. A proclamation under Article 234 must be laid before a joint sitting and ceases to remain in force after two months unless its continuation is approved, subject to the constitutional limit of six months.
