“PML-N Bows When Orders Come from Above,” Najam Sethi Says Sarcastically
ISLAMABAD: Senior analyst Najam Sethi has claimed that President Asif Ali Zardari advised against imposing an emergency or governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the time being, amid the province’s ongoing political crisis.
Speaking on Dunya News’ programme, Sethi said Zardari had suggested that a decision on emergency or governor’s rule should not be taken at this stage.
When the programme’s host, Ayesha Naz, asked whether the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had been prepared to impose governor’s rule or an emergency, Sethi responded sarcastically that the party offered little resistance when orders came from above.
“PML-N does not resist much; when orders come from above, it lies down,” he remarked.
Discussing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) strategy, Sethi claimed that the party’s leadership had never been fully committed to carrying out a long march because of fears of a strong state response and possible arrests.
آصف زرداری نے کہا کہ ابھی نہ کریں، نجم سیٹھی
ن لیگ تیار تھی؟ عائشہ ناز کا سوال
ن لیگ زیادہ مزاحمت نہیں کرتی، جب اوپر سے orders آتے ہیں تو ن لیگ لیٹ جاتی ہے، نجم سیٹھی pic.twitter.com/wdJSQvbi9h— Muhammad Zeeshan Awan (@surrakimuhammad) October 2, 2026
He argued that the repeated changes in protest dates and efforts to redirect the march towards southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were intended to avoid confrontation. According to Sethi, PTI had no firm plan to enter Punjab, and these moves were aimed at preserving the party’s political credibility.
Sethi added that the government appeared unwilling to offer concessions despite the changing protest strategy.
He said the province’s most serious challenge was not the proposed long march but the escalating threat of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The analyst also alleged that the PTI-led provincial government was reluctant to cooperate sincerely with federal institutions in efforts to combat terrorism. He said this alleged lack of cooperation had contributed to discussions about extraordinary constitutional measures, including emergency rule or the imposition of a governor’s rule.
Sethi said attention was now focused on whether the provincial government would demonstrate seriousness during what he described as the final round of negotiations.
