ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders have strongly responded to discussions over the possible imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, warning that such a step could deepen political tensions in the province.
Senior PTI leader Naeem Haider Panjutha challenged the federal government to proceed with governor’s rule, arguing that the move would worsen the prevailing situation rather than resolve it.
Speaking to Dawn, Panjutha accused the government of depriving PTI of its electoral mandate and reserved seats, pursuing politically motivated cases against its members, detaining party workers and leaders, and carrying out raids on their residences. These allegations reflect PTI’s position and were not independently established in the supplied report.
He said PTI would continue what it calls its movement for “Haqeeqi Azadi” until its demands — including constitutional supremacy, rule of law, respect for the electoral mandate and the release of Imran Khan and other political prisoners — were met.
Panjutha maintained that measures such as governor’s rule, emergency provisions or political pressure would not force the party to abandon its campaign.
PTI Leader Proposes Resignations From Assemblies
PTI parliamentary leader Shahid Khattak, meanwhile, questioned whether the party should continue participating in legislatures if parliament could not protect the security and dignity of its own members.
Khattak proposed that PTI lawmakers resign from the assemblies and shift their political campaign to the streets.
He said the party was prepared to face arrests and other forms of pressure and would continue its public mobilisation until Imran Khan and other detained political figures were released and its demands concerning constitutional supremacy and rule of law were addressed.
The remarks came after KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said on September 25 that consultations had taken place regarding the possibility of imposing governor’s rule in the province.
Those discussions emerged ahead of PTI’s planned protest march, which had initially been scheduled for September 27 before being postponed until October 4.
KP Speaker Seeks Information on Arrested and Detained Lawmakers
Separately, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati has sought information from the provincial police leadership regarding lawmakers who have recently been arrested or detained.
In a letter addressed to KP Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed, the speaker requested details concerning any provincial assembly member, minister, adviser, special assistant to the chief minister or parliamentary secretary subjected to arrest or detention.
Swati cited Articles 66 and 67 of the Constitution, read with Article 127, as well as the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Procedure and Conduct of Business Rules, 2025, and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026, as the basis for seeking the information.
The speaker said that, as custodian of the provincial assembly, he had instructed the assembly secretariat to obtain a complete record of such cases.
Details of Raids and FIRs Also Requested
The speaker also requested information concerning the residences of lawmakers that had allegedly been raided, searched, attacked or subjected to other action by law enforcement agencies.
Police authorities were asked to provide a comprehensive report as well as copies of first information reports relating to such incidents during the preceding two weeks.
The requested documentation is to be submitted to the KP Assembly Secretariat along with records of complaints filed at the relevant police stations.
The developments come as tensions between PTI and the federal government continue over the party’s planned October 4 protest and discussions surrounding the possible use of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
