ISLAMABAD (MNN); Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday defended the imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, telling leaders of the ruling coalition that the federal government had made every effort to avoid what he described as an “extreme step”.
The federal government imposed governor’s rule in KP on Sunday and declared an emergency in 12 districts, citing what it called the provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement” from the fight against terrorism.
The prime minister held separate meetings with delegations from Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and other allied parties, briefing them on the reasons behind the decision. The meetings were attended by representatives of PML-Q, Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) and PML-Zia.
During his meeting with an MQM-P delegation led by Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Shehbaz said the decision had been taken in the interest of the people of KP after negotiations with the provincial government failed to produce a positive response.
He said rising terrorist attacks in the province were targeting civilians and security personnel, while the provincial government had failed to openly condemn terrorist groups. The prime minister also criticised PTI’s planned long march, describing it as an attempt to undermine the country’s improving economy.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the MQM-P delegation assured the federal government of its full support for the decisions concerning KP.
Coalition allies back federal decision
In a separate meeting with parliamentary representatives of other coalition parties, Shehbaz explained the constitutional measures taken by the Centre, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.
The prime minister said the federal government had provided more than Rs800 billion to KP under the National Finance Commission (NFC) arrangements to support counterterrorism efforts. However, he alleged that the provincial government had failed to strengthen its Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and establish Safe City projects to improve security.
The parliamentary delegation expressed support for the federal government and praised the prime minister’s leadership during what it described as a challenging period. Its members also alleged that KP had remained deprived of adequate progress in health, education and infrastructure during PTI’s tenure.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah attended the meetings.
‘What other option did we have?’
Addressing a parliamentary meeting of his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Shehbaz said the Centre had been compelled to act amid growing terrorism and what he described as continuous efforts by PTI to destabilise the country.
He said the people of KP had been waiting for development projects, including schools, universities, hospitals, improved law and order and measures to curb corruption, for the past 13 years. However, he alleged that the provincial government had focused its attention and resources on long marches and protests rather than public welfare.
“What other path did we have?” the prime minister asked, questioning whether the federal government should have remained a silent spectator.
Shehbaz said the decision followed the collapse of government-opposition negotiations on October 3. He claimed that an agreement had nearly been finalised, with a consensus-based draft prepared, but the PTI negotiating team sought additional time to consult KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
The prime minister alleged that the opposition had subsequently rejected the proposed understanding and accused PTI of seeking to repeat the events of May 9. These claims were part of his address to the party’s parliamentary meeting.
He said consultations, including discussions with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, preceded the federal cabinet’s October 11 meeting, after which the decision was made.
Shehbaz described the move as necessary to protect Pakistan and expressed hope that the newly appointed KP Advisory Council, working under the governor, would improve security and living conditions in the province.
PM highlights counterterrorism and economic progress
The prime minister said terrorism had been largely eliminated from many parts of the country several years ago but had resurged in recent times. He expressed concern over the deaths of security personnel in KP and Balochistan and called for an end to the violence.
He accused PTI leaders of prioritising protests and political confrontation over cooperation with the federal government, armed forces, police and the CTD. He also criticised Sohail Afridi for what he described as a failure to express sympathy for the families of security personnel killed in the line of duty or to speak out against terrorist groups.
Shehbaz recalled his meetings with former KP chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Sohail Afridi, saying the Centre had repeatedly offered cooperation to the provincial government in combating terrorism.
Referring to Pakistan’s economic performance, the prime minister said International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva had recently praised the country’s economic reforms, describing it as “a new Pakistan”.
He also referred to his meetings with international financial institutions last month, saying positive assessments from independent institutions had strengthened his confidence in the country’s economic progress.
