Imposition of Governor’s Rule and Emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Is Against Democratic Values and Constitutional Continuity; Political Issues Cannot Be Resolved Through Force or Undemocratic Measures: ANP

Quetta (Daily Qudrat Quetta): In a provincial statement, the Awami National Party (ANP) has expressed deep concern over the imposition of Governor’s Rule and emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and strongly condemned the move, saying that removing an elected government and imposing Governor’s Rule neither proved to be a solution to problems in the past nor will it yield any positive results now. The performance of governments should be judged through public opinion and the democratic process, because if a government fails to meet the people’s expectations and fulfill its responsibilities, the people have the authority to hold it accountable through elections.

The statement said that in a democratic system, respect for the public mandate, constitutional supremacy, and continuity of elected institutions are of fundamental importance. Instead of adopting undemocratic methods to change governments, the political process should be taken forward while remaining within the bounds of the Constitution and law. Measures like Governor’s Rule and emergency, instead of resolving political issues, can weaken democratic institutions and increase political uncertainty.

The ANP recalled that barely a week had passed since the country came into existence when a government with a two-thirds majority of the Khudai Khidmatgars in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was undemocratically dissolved. Describing this move as an example of historical injustices against the democratic process in Pashtunkhwa, it was said that the series of undemocratic measures continued from the very early period of Pakistan’s creation, due to which democratic institutions could not get opportunities to stabilize.

The provincial statement further said that democracy is not being allowed to flourish in the true sense in the country, and efforts are being made to limit political forces and elected representatives by granting powers to non-political actors. Such conduct affects democratic values, the constitutional system, and the public mandate, which is a matter of concern for any democratic society.

The Awami National Party reiterated its position that the path to political stability in the country passes through the continuity of democracy, the supremacy of the Constitution, the autonomy of Parliament, and respect for public opinion. The resolution of political issues lies not in the use of force or undemocratic measures, but in political dialogue, democratic tolerance, and constitutional procedure.