Journalist Gharida Farooqi Claims Decision Taken to Impose Emergency Across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

ISLAMABAD:Senior journalist Gharida Farooqi has claimed that a final decision has been taken to impose an emergency across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with 12 districts expected to receive special attention under the proposed arrangements.

In a post on social media platform X, Farooqi said the decision had been finalised on October 10 following a meeting between the prime minister and the president, during which she claimed the necessary constitutional formalities had also been completed.

According to Farooqi, the proposed emergency would cover the entire province, while special measures would focus on 12 districts. She said she had additional details but was not disclosing them at that stage.

She further claimed that control of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be transferred directly to the federal government, with the governor potentially exercising authority in some areas while the federal government could assume direct control in others.

Farooqi suggested that further measures could be implemented within the next 24 to 48 hours. However, these claims regarding the final decision, constitutional formalities and proposed administrative arrangements have not been independently confirmed.

### Political Implications for PTI

The journalist also commented on the potential political consequences for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, attributing the party’s difficulties to what she described as flawed political strategies and decisions.

She questioned whether the federal government should have intervened earlier as security and political tensions intensified in the province.

Farooqi also urged observers to watch the activities of political figures, including former chief ministers Pervez Khattak, Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao and Amir Haider Khan Hoti, as well as members of the Awami National Party’s Bilour family.

### Former FATA Merger to Remain Intact, Journalist Claims

Farooqi also rejected reports suggesting that the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), which were merged into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, would regain their previous administrative status.

She claimed that the merger would not be reversed and described reports suggesting otherwise as fake news.

As of the time of the reported statement, no independent confirmation had been provided regarding the alleged emergency decision or the proposed transfer of provincial authority.

The claims come amid heightened tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led provincial administration over security, governance and the possibility of constitutional intervention in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.