By Zubair
Lahore
President Asif Ali Zardari signed a formal proclamation on Sunday imposing a state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and placing the province under governor's rule, suspending the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government and triggering the most serious constitutional confrontation between Islamabad and the KP administration since PTI first came to power in the province.
The action, taken under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution on the formal advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the federal cabinet, declared that the KP government could no longer function in accordance with constitutional requirements. Pakistan Army troops were simultaneously deployed to aid civil power across the province under Article 245.
Sohail Afridi and Cabinet Ministers Detained
By Monday morning, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry confirmed that suspended Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had been placed in preventive custody. At least eight prominent figures were detained under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance, including KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati and MNA Junaid Akbar. Federal officials stated that those without active criminal cases would be reviewed for release, while individuals facing specific charges would be processed through court.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar defended the emergency as a legally sound response to a systemic breakdown in law and order. He stated that the emergency carries no fixed time limit and will remain in effect until security conditions in the province demonstrably improve.
Federal Government Cites TTP Collusion
The federal government's central justification for the takeover rested on allegations that the PTI administration in KP had deliberately disengaged from counterterrorism operations and worked, in the words of federal ministers, "hand in glove" with the Pakistani Taliban (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan). The PTI has categorically rejected these allegations as politically motivated fabrications designed to dismantle its provincial government.
The emergency followed a complete breakdown in dialogue between the federal government and PTI on October 3, after weeks of friction over counterterrorism strategy and the KP government's decision to lead a high-profile long march toward Islamabad demanding the release of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Lockdowns, Internet Disruptions Across KP
Schools and educational institutions in Peshawar were ordered shut on Monday. Security forces erected container blockades at key intersections across districts including Swabi to prevent planned PTI worker mobilizations. Internet watchdog NetBlocks reported major connectivity disruptions across Peshawar and parts of the province following the emergency declaration.
Islamabad remained under a high-security red alert throughout Monday, with additional deployments visible around key government buildings and the diplomatic enclave.
PTI described the emergency as unconstitutional political victimization and an assault on KP's democratic mandate. The party announced plans to challenge the proclamation in court at the earliest opportunity.
For ongoing updates on the political crisis and security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, follow INPK Pakistan politics coverage and INPK breaking news.