Federal Government Considered Governor’s Rule in KP, but PPP Opposed It: Bilawal Bhutto

KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has revealed that the federal government had considered imposing Governor’s Rule or an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but the PPP opposed the move and called for a political solution.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Greater Karachi Sewerage Plan, Bilawal urged the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to postpone its long march and engage with the federal government to develop a joint strategy against terrorism.

He said Islamabad had remained largely shut for the past 10 days amid ongoing political developments, adding that the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could also affect Sindh and other provinces.

“If there is an illness in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Karachi starts coughing,” he said, emphasising that terrorism was a red line for the PPP and should not be viewed through a partisan political lens.

Bilawal said the federal government had initially considered imposing Governor’s Rule or taking emergency measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, the PPP believed the issue should be resolved politically.

He added that his party had subsequently sought the federal government’s permission to facilitate negotiations with PTI.

Calls for joint action against terrorism

The PPP chairman said the KP government appeared focused on protests while terrorism in the province was increasing.

He warned that if the situation could not be brought under control, the government might be compelled to consider Governor’s Rule.

Bilawal said political engagement with PTI was necessary to help secure an agreement between the KP and federal governments on combating terrorism.

He urged the provincial government to sit with the centre and agree on a coordinated strategy to eliminate the threat.

“I hope all political parties sitting in Islamabad will find a political solution so that we do not have to confront terrorism under emergency measures,” he said.

Bilawal stressed that terrorists were the PPP’s red line and pointed to the security situations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan as matters of national concern.

He warned that any further escalation of unrest could have consequences for all provinces, urging political parties to work together and formulate a comprehensive plan to counter terrorism.