Federal Cabinet on Sunday has endorsed imposition of emergency and governor rule, under article 232 and 234 of the constitution, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) due to the deteriorating security situation.
According to a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office today, the federal cabinet reviewed the security situation in KP during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The cabinet was briefed on the worsening law and order situation and the growing threat of terrorism in the province.
During the meeting, the cabinet conducted a detailed review of the situation, citing the provincial government’s deliberate disengagement from the fight against terrorism.
The cabinet recommended that the prime minister advise President Asif Ali Zardari to exercise his constitutional powers to impose an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution.
The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that the advice had been sent to the Presidency for further action.
President signs summary
President Asif Ali Zardari has decided to impose an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Article 232 of the Constitution amid rising incidents of terrorism and a deteriorating law and order situation, according to a statement issued by the President’s House.
The statement said the decision was taken in view of the worsening security situation and increasing incidents of terrorism in the province.
صدرِ مملکت آصف علی زرداری نے خیبر پختونخوا میں کی سلامتی کی صورتحال پر وزیراعظم کی ایڈوائس پر دستخط کر دیے ہیں۔ آئینِ پاکستان کے آرٹیکلز 232 اور 234 کے تحت صدرِ مملکت نے وزیراعظم کی ایڈوائس منظور کرتے ہوئے دستخط کیے۔ وفاقی کابینہ کے فیصلے، وزیراعظم کی ایڈوائس، متعلقہ اداروں کی امن و امان کی صورتحال سے متعلق رپورٹس اور حکومتی وفود کے ساتھ مذاکرات کی ناکامی کے بعد صدرِ مملکت نے سمری پر دستخط کیے۔
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) October 11, 2026
Sohail Afridi seeks protective custody
Sohail Afridi and senior PTI leader Junaid Akbar have sought their protective custody today as the anger grows in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa against the PTI government.
Federal Cabinet meeting
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had convened the crucial meeting of the federal cabinet at 9:30am on Sunday to review the deteriorating security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), rising terrorist attacks, governance challenges and the possible imposition of an emergency or governor’s rule in the PTI-governed province.
The meeting was attended by Rana Sanaullah, Talal Ch, Tariq Fazal Ch, Mohin Naqvi Ishaq Dar, Ahad Cheema, Aleem Khan, Amir Mukam, Khawaja Asif, Khalid Maqbool, Rana Tanvir.
The meeting comes amid growing tensions between the federal government and the provincial administration led by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, with the Centre considering extraordinary constitutional measures to address security and administrative challenges.
According to government sources, the federal cabinet examined reports from police, intelligence and security agencies concerning terrorist activities, law and order, and the provincial administration’s response to the security situation.
Earlier Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi had strongly criticised Chief Minister Sohail Afridi over the province’s security situation, saying the chief minister should resign if he was unable to protect the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Kundi also ruled out further negotiations with the PTI, accusing the party of adopting a confrontational approach rather than pursuing meaningful political dialogue.
He claimed that several PTI members were either under arrest or surrendering themselves to authorities. Questioning the party’s commitment to political engagement, the governor alleged that PTI preferred confrontation and unrest to dialogue.
Separate sessions of the National Assembly and Senate have been called for Tuesday, October 13, amid expectations that the proposed constitutional measures could be placed before Parliament.
Reason for such measures
The federal government’s consideration of extraordinary measures comes against the backdrop of persistent terrorist violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in districts bordering Afghanistan.
Security concerns have intensified as the provincial government continues its political mobilisation under Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, whose long march has further strained relations between Islamabad and Peshawar.
Federal officials have raised concerns about the security implications of the march, including the possibility of militants exploiting disruptions at checkpoints and the diversion of administrative resources.
The federal side has also criticised the alleged use of provincial government resources during political mobilisation.
Article 232 provides for the proclamation of an emergency in specified circumstances, including serious threats arising from war, external aggression or internal disturbances beyond the control of a provincial government, subject to constitutional conditions.
