The federal government has decided to impose an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) amid the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march towards Islamabad, well-informed sources said on Saturday. The development came during a high-level meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
The premier 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, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, and other senior officials. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders Senator Sherry Rehman, Syed Naveed Qamar, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, and Dr. Asim Hussain were also present to discuss the security situation.
"It was agreed in the meeting to convene separate sessions of the National Assembly and Senate on October 13," a statement from the President House read. Insiders stated that a federal cabinet meeting was scheduled for 9:30 am on Sunday to formally approve the emergency measures in KP to prevent the march from disrupting the capital.
Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz telephoned Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to congratulate him on performing Umrah and invited him to the Prime Minister's House, which he accepted. During their meeting, the JUI-F chief suggested that the premier hold talks with the PTI to resolve the ongoing political crisis.
He advised against imposing governor's rule or an emergency, urging a negotiated settlement instead. The prime minister briefed him on the government's efforts to engage the opposition and maintain law and order.
The JUI-F chief requested more time to consult with the opposition and PTI leadership to find a middle ground. Separately, the KP governor stated that the federal cabinet would decide on Sunday whether to impose an emergency, governor's rule, or both.
He criticized the provincial government's inability to maintain order, claiming that the administration was using state resources to facilitate the protest march. The political atmosphere in the country remains tense as the PTI leadership has vowed to reach Islamabad despite the government's warnings.
Security agencies have been placed on high alert, and containers have been placed at various entry points to the capital to restrict movement. Legal experts suggest that the imposition of an emergency would grant the federal government broader powers to control the provincial administration.
However, opposition parties have termed these moves as unconstitutional and a violation of provincial autonomy. As the deadline for the cabinet meeting approaches, the government is weighing its options carefully.
The focus remains on preventing a repeat of previous protests that led to significant damage to public property and disruption of daily life in the twin cities. The coming 24 hours are considered critical for the political future of the country.
Both the government and the opposition are preparing for a potential standoff, with the public awaiting a peaceful resolution to the escalating tensions.