PkNAP, NDM Reject Emergency, Governor’s Rule and Separation of 12 Districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

QUETTA (Daily Qudrat Quetta): In a joint statement, the Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party (PkNAP) and the National Democratic Movement (NDM) strongly condemned the imposition of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the application of governor’s rule, and the separation of 12 districts of the province from provincial legislative and administrative jurisdiction on October 11, 2026, terming these actions contrary to the Constitution of Pakistan, the federal democratic system, provincial autonomy and the fundamental rights of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The joint statement said that such actions by the federal government amount to weakening constitutional supremacy, democratic principles and the powers of federal units. It said depriving the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of governing themselves through their elected representatives, of authority over their resources, and of the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution is unacceptable in any manner. Unilateral changes in the province’s administrative structure and the decision to establish a separate administrative system for 12 districts reinforce the apprehension that attempts are being made to separate these areas from the province’s constitutional and legal system.

The statement said that although the move to separate the 12 districts from the province has been denied, clarification is still needed regarding the decision to introduce a separate administrative system for these districts under the name “Area Development Secretariat.” The question arises: when the merger of the former FATA into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was brought about through a constitutional amendment, how can it be rendered ineffective through an administrative or executive order? Replacing an administrative and legal arrangement established through constitutional amendment with mere administrative decisions would be contrary to constitutional principles.

The joint statement warned that weakening the constitutional rights and legal protections gained after the merger of the former FATA could once again leave the people of these areas vulnerable to uncertainty, deprivation and extraordinary administrative restrictions. The problems and hardships faced by the people there as a result of keeping the tribal areas under a separate administrative status in the past cannot be ignored. Ensuring the people’s right to the mineral resources, lands and other natural resources of these areas, and giving them an equal share in national development, is the constitutional responsibility of the state.

The statement further said that PkNAP and NDM have consistently criticized the provincial government’s poor governance, failure to resolve public issues, slow social and economic development and shortcomings in protecting fundamental rights. However, the solution to complaints about the provincial government’s performance lies in democratic and constitutional procedures, not in imposing emergency in the province, dissolving an elected government or restricting the people’s constitutional rights. Giving collective punishment to the entire province’s people by using a government’s failure as a justification is contrary to democratic principles.

The joint statement said that the problem of renewed spread of terrorism and unrest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cannot be resolved merely through administrative measures, governor’s rule or restricting people’s rights. It is necessary to seriously examine the root causes of this crisis, review past failed security policies and adopt an Afghan policy that prioritizes peace, stability and public interests in the region. The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been paying a heavy price for decades in the form of terrorism, loss of life, destruction, economic downturn and displacement. The solution to these problems is not further uncertainty, extraordinary administrative measures and suspension of constitutional rights, but effective governance, the rule of law, public trust and a clear peace policy.

The statement also expressed concern that the use of extraordinary administrative and security powers in some areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has already raised serious questions regarding civil liberties and legal protections. In the past, judicial objections regarding the imposition of the “Action in Aid of Civil Power Regulation” and its constitutional justification indicate that state actions must be subject to the Constitution, the law and fundamental human rights. No security policy can be placed above citizens’ fundamental rights, judicial oversight and legal protections.

PkNAP and NDM made clear that ruling political parties cannot absolve themselves of the responsibility to address the problems faced by the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and protect their fundamental rights. In a democratic system, it is the duty of political parties and elected representatives to defend the people’s constitutional rights, provincial autonomy and the powers of federal units. Regardless of political differences, it is essential to adopt a principled stance against actions that restrict the elected democratic authority of any province and deprive its people of constitutional rights.

In the joint statement, both parties rejected attempts to impose emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, apply governor’s rule and separate 12 districts from provincial legislative and administrative jurisdiction, and demanded that these actions be immediately reviewed, the supremacy of the Constitution of Pakistan be ensured, provincial autonomy and the powers of elected representatives be respected, and the constitutional rights and legal protections gained under the merger of the former FATA be maintained.

At the conclusion of the statement, both parties appealed to all democratic, progressive and human rights-supporting political parties, lawyers, civil society and public circles in the country to wage a joint and united struggle for the defence of constitutional supremacy, federal democracy, provincial autonomy and the fundamental rights of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, so that the people of any province cannot be deprived of their legitimate constitutional rights on political, administrative or security grounds.