Opposition parties accuse govt of undermining provincial autonomy

ISLAMABAD: An alliance of opposition parties on Tuesday demanded the immediate withdrawal of emergency measures and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, accusing the government of undermining democracy, constitutional governance and provincial autonomy.

At a joint parliamentary party meeting chaired by the opposition leader in National Assembly Mehmood Khan Achakzai, the parties called for the restoration of constitutional government in the province, the release of detained political leaders and workers, and an end to what they described as politically motivated repression.

The meeting was attended by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the opposition leader in Senate Raja Nasir Abbas, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, PTI secretary general Salman Akram Raja and other opposition leaders.

The participants declared October 11 a “black day” in the country’s democratic history, condemning the imposition of emergency measures and governor’s rule, as well as the arrest of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and other PTI leaders and the crackdown on party workers.

They accused the authorities of disregarding the electoral mandate of KP’s voters, warning that removing an elected administration and detaining political opponents would deepen political polarisation.

The opposition leaders said constitutional protections and due process must apply equally to political allies and opponents, arguing that governor’s rule should not be used as a political tool when relations between the federal government and a provincial administration deteriorate.

Such disputes, they said, should be resolved through constitutional procedures, political negotiations and respect for the electorate’s choice.

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman delivered a sharp rebuke to the government, saying Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had previously assured him that governor’s rule would not be imposed and an emergency would not be declared in the province.

The premier’s apparent reversal, he said, had undermined the government’s stated commitment to dialogue and cast doubt on its willingness to pursue a negotiated settlement while resorting to emergency measures in KP.

Opposition leaders appreciated Fazlur Rehman’s efforts to defuse tensions through dialogue, but said the prime minister’s apparent backtracking on his assurances to the JUI-F chief raised doubts about the government’s sincerity in resolving the crisis through negotiations.

The meeting also revisited allegations of manipulation in the February 8, 2024, general elections.

Participants accused political actors of undermining the popular mandate, including through alleged attempts to buy the loyalties of elected representatives, saying such practices had eroded public confidence in democratic institutions.

They also criticised constitutional amendments that they said had curtailed judicial powers and weakened institutional checks and balances.

The opposition accused the government of invoking constitutional supremacy and accountability while restricting political dissent and failing to ensure equal application of the law.

The leaders questioned what they described as differential treatment of KP and Balochistan, arguing that security challenges and provincial grievances should be addressed under consistent constitutional principles rather than through selective political intervention.

They rejected the suggestion that removing an elected government could resolve law-and-order problems, calling instead for meaningful consultation, adequate resources and political engagement with affected communities.

Treating dissent as a security threat risked aggravating the tensions the state sought to contain, they warned.

The opposition called for a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy based on political consensus and consultation with all stakeholders, saying lasting security required both effective state action and public confidence The meeting concluded with a pledge to launch a joint political campaign for the withdrawal of governor’s rule and emergency measures in KP, restoration of constitutional government and protection of the rights of detained political leaders and workers.

The participants said they would pursue their demands through negotiations and constitutional democratic means.

Meanwhile, PTI chief whip Aamir Dogar writes a letter to National Assembly speaker, seeking the immediate issuance of production orders for detained members of parliament to enable them to attend the ongoing session.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026