PTI rejects emergency, governor's rule in KP, condemns arrests of CM Sohail Afridi, Junaid Akbar

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership on Sunday strongly rejected the imposition of an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, describing it as an assault on the province’s democratic mandate and autonomy, while condemning the reported arrests of Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi and provincial party president Junaid Akbar Khan.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan termed the decision a “grave political mistake” and an undemocratic measure, warning that the people of the province would not accept what he described as an infringement of their constitutional rights.

In a statement, Gohar said the people of KP had a constitutional and legal right to their electoral mandate, adding that peace and stability could not be achieved by undermining provincial autonomy or fuelling confrontation between the federation and the province.

He said PTI had no disagreement with efforts to eliminate terrorism but stressed that counterterrorism operations should not be used to suppress public voices, pursue political objectives or curtail the province’s constitutional authority.

“Terrorism can only be combated through national unity and a joint strategy,” he said, urging the federal government to reconsider its decision and pursue political dialogue rather than confrontation.

Gohar said the party would raise its voice on all constitutional, legal and democratic forums to protect the people’s mandate, provincial autonomy and democratic rights. He added that withdrawing the decision would demonstrate political wisdom and help prevent further political and economic damage.

Junaid Akbar condemns arrests

A post from PTI provincial president’s X account condemned the reported arrests of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and other party leaders, describing them as evidence of what he called growing authoritarianism in the country.

He accused the authorities of undermining democratic values, the Constitution and the rule of law, saying political differences should be addressed through dialogue and democratic processes rather than arrests and coercion.

Akbar urged the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to defend their electoral mandate and democratic rights through peaceful and constitutional means. He said the arrest of a political leader would not bring an end to the party’s struggle.

He also claimed that the province’s mandate was being undermined and said the chief minister had made sacrifices for the peace and future of its people.

Former National Assembly speaker and PTI leader Asad Qaiser on Sunday rejected the imposition of governor’s rule and emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, describing the measures as an unacceptable violation of the province’s constitutional rights.

In a statement, Qaiser said PTI had consistently raised its voice against terrorism but questioned the federal government’s policies, which he said had contributed to the current situation.

He stressed that the recommendations of the Peace Jirga, backed by a unanimous resolution agreed upon by all political parties, should be implemented.

Qaiser said ignoring the people’s fundamental rights and constitutional powers in key national affairs was unacceptable, urging all political parties to speak up for the protection of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s rights.

He termed the move an attack on the province’s constitutional rights and vowed that the party would continue its struggle through constitutional and democratic means.

PTI calls emergency, governor’s rule an assault on provincial autonomy

In a separate statement issued through its Central Media Department, PTI strongly condemned the federal government’s decision to impose an emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, calling it a grave assault on the people’s democratic mandate, provincial autonomy and constitutional federalism.

The party, through its spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram, also condemned the reported arrests of Sohail Afridi and Junaid Akbar and demanded the immediate release of all political detainees.

Meanwhile, provincial minister Arif Ahmed Zai, in a video message following the reported arrest of the chief minister, said the party would not be intimidated by the action.

“Ultimately, the decisions will be made on the streets. We will not be afraid, and we will not back down!” he said.

Background

Earlier on Sunday, the federal government imposed an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after President Asif Ali Zardari approved the federal cabinet’s recommendation to invoke Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution.

The decision followed an emergency cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during which ministers were briefed on the province’s security situation and the growing threat of terrorism.

The cabinet accused the PTI-led provincial government of deliberately distancing itself from the fight against terrorism and recommended that the prime minister advise the president to exercise his constitutional powers.

Article 232 provides for a state of emergency in specified circumstances involving war, external aggression or internal disturbance beyond a provincial government’s control, while Article 234 deals with the failure of constitutional machinery in a province.

The move has intensified tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led provincial leadership, with the party rejecting the decision and warning that it would challenge measures it considers unconstitutional.