Parliamentary affairs minister links debate over emergency or governor’s rule to security situation, accuses provincial government of insufficient cooperation on counterterrorism
ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said on Thursday that discussions over a possible emergency or governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were driven by the province’s security situation and were not connected to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s planned long march.
Speaking during a private television programme, Chaudhry attributed the deteriorating security environment to what he described as a lack of cooperation by the PTI-led provincial government with federal authorities and law enforcement agencies in counterterrorism efforts.
Minister Says Long March and Emergency Are Separate Issues
Referring to government-PTI talks scheduled for Friday, Chaudhry said political matters would be discussed and that any concession sought by PTI from the federal government would be considered within constitutional and legal parameters.
He maintained, however, that the provincial government’s alleged lack of cooperation on counterterrorism remained a separate and significant concern.
Chaudhry said postponement of PTI’s planned march would not automatically end discussions over a possible emergency in KP. According to him, the two matters were unrelated.
He said consideration of emergency measures had begun after repeated attempts to draw the provincial government’s attention to increasing terrorist activity.
Federal Minister Accuses KP Government of Non-Cooperation
Chaudhry alleged that the KP government was failing to provide sufficient cooperation to the federal government, intelligence bodies and law enforcement agencies, contributing to difficulties in bringing the security situation under control.
He claimed that this lack of coordination had resulted in increased casualties.
Comparing the situation in KP with Balochistan, the minister expressed regret over terrorist incidents in Balochistan but argued that its provincial government was cooperating with federal authorities and participating directly in counterterrorism efforts.
In contrast, he accused the KP administration of obstructing measures taken by federal authorities, law enforcement agencies and intelligence institutions against terrorism. These claims reflected the federal minister’s assessment of the provincial government’s conduct.
Governance, Crime and Smuggling Also Raised
Chaudhry also criticised PTI’s governance record in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, alleging that governance weaknesses had contributed to links between terrorism, criminal activity and smuggling.
He argued that such conditions were indirectly benefiting terrorist groups.
The minister said these concerns would also form part of the government’s discussions with PTI and maintained that the provincial ruling party would need to provide the cooperation required for counterterrorism operations.
According to Chaudhry, PTI had both a political and broader responsibility to cooperate with the federal government in confronting terrorism.
Final Decision to Follow Consultations
Addressing the possibility of an emergency or governor’s rule, Chaudhry said government ministers and spokespersons had consistently stated that the matter was under serious consideration.
He added that no final decision had yet been taken and that any decision would follow consultations.
His remarks come amid political tensions surrounding PTI’s planned protest march and an intensifying debate over the security situation and possible constitutional measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
