Pakistan’s Prime Minister Announces Emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Counter Militant Violence and Stabilize Economy

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated on Saturday that the federal government had no alternative but to declare a state of emergency and impose governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) earlier this month, citing the provincial administration’s failure to curb escalating terrorist attacks.

President Asif Ali Zardari similarly imposed emergency and governor’s rule in KP earlier this month. The administration said rising militant activity and the PTI‑led provincial government’s alleged non‑cooperation in counter‑terrorism operations were the primary reasons for the measure.

The move coincided with Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who was leading a mass march of Khan supporters toward Islamabad to demand his release from prison. The federal government placed Afridi under protective custody and transferred provincial authority to Governor Faisal Karim Kundi.

Sharif told members of the Pakistan Muslim League‑Nawaz parliamentary party that the government had no choice but to impose governor’s rule and act under the relevant constitutional provisions.

Since November 2022, Pakistan has experienced a sharp rise in militant attacks after a fragile cease‑fire with the Pakistani Taliban collapsed. Although the federal government attributes the surge to the former PTI‑run provincial administration’s failure to combat militancy, the opposition disputes this claim.

The PTI has urged the central government to develop a unified counter‑terrorism policy through broad consensus.

Sharif noted that over the past two and a half years, thousands of civilians, police officers and military personnel have been killed in militant attacks in KP, and that the economy has endured a devastating blow from such violence since the early 2000s.

He added that approximately 80,000 people have been killed and the economy has incurred losses ranging from $150 billion to $200 billion.

Sharif attributed the unrest to Khan’s PTI party, which has organized public demonstrations and sit‑in protests since 2014, thereby impeding the government’s ability to deliver effective governance.

The emergency declaration in KP has intensified political tensions across Pakistan. The removal of the PTI’s sole provincial administration represents the latest setback for Khan, who has been imprisoned since 2023 and faces accusations of inciting riots against military installations as well as corruption and other charges. His wife, three sisters and numerous activists are also detained.

Khan denies the accusations, claiming they are politically motivated.

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