Summary Lawmakers endorse presidential proclamation under Article 232
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan’s National Assembly has approved the imposition of an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), endorsing a presidential proclamation issued on October 11 amid protests and opposition uproar in the House.
The resolution backs the federal government’s decision to take extraordinary measures in the province, governed by Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) before the intervention. Meanwhile, PTI has challenged the imposition of governor’s rule and the emergency at the Peshawar High Court.
The resolution was moved by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary. It stated that the National Assembly approved the proclamation issued by President Asif Ali Zardari on October 11 under the second proviso of Article 232(1) of the Constitution of Pakistan.
Emergency approved
The federal government announced emergency measures and governor’s rule in KP following a cabinet meeting, with President Zardari approving the move on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s advice.
Islamabad has justified the decision by citing a rise in militant attacks and alleging that the provincial administration had failed to maintain public order and support counterterrorism operations. The move has intensified an already strained relationship between the federal coalition and the PTI, which has governed the province.
The government has invoked Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, which provide for emergency measures and the possibility of federal intervention when a provincial government is deemed unable to function constitutionally. While Article 232 concerns emergencies arising from threats such as war or internal disturbance, Article 234 provides for presidential action in the event of a constitutional breakdown in provincial governance.
Security issue
The decision follows months of disagreements between Islamabad and the PTI-led provincial administration over counterterrorism policy. Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has accused the provincial government of developing links with militant groups, allegations disputed by PTI leaders.
The party has maintained that security concerns are being used to justify political action against it. The emergency was also imposed as PTI prepared a long march from KP to
Islamabad to demand Khan’s release from prison.
The federal government has separately approved an Area Development Secretariat to oversee governance, security and development across several southern and former tribal districts, including Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Kurram and North Waziristan.
Governor’s Rule challenged
PTI has taken its opposition to the emergency and governor’s rule to the Peshawar High Court, opening a legal challenge to the federal intervention.
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has said that the lack of coordination between the centre and province on terrorism-related matters would end, signalling a more centralised approach to security policy.