Possibility of Imposing Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Islamabad: The federal government is considering the possibility of imposing Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with an initial duration of six months. A final decision is expected within the next two days. The government has decided to consult the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on the matter of imposing Governor’s Rule in the province.
According to media reports, a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where Governor’s Rule is being considered. During the meeting, the Attorney General and legal experts briefed the cabinet on the legal aspects of imposing Governor’s Rule. The majority of cabinet members supported the idea, arguing that the provincial government had created the grounds for such a move.
It was highlighted during the briefing that provincial departments and resources were being used for political purposes, and the provincial government had utilized state resources for organizing protests. Earlier, Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal had also claimed that elements from terrorist organizations were involved in the protests organized by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and the government had shown restraint in handling the situation. He emphasized that imposing Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was a viable option.
In an interview with Dunya News, Ahsan Iqbal stated that PTI’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, Ali Amin Gandapur, was openly challenging the federal government. He added that a charge sheet could be filed against the provincial government, and that the federal cabinet would have to take decisive steps on this matter.
He also pointed out that the government had exercised significant restraint during the PTI protests, despite the protesters firing on police and security personnel. Iqbal mentioned that the government’s primary objective was to bring peace and stability to the country and ensure that such actions would not be allowed to continue.
Earlier, traders from Islamabad and Rawalpindi had also called for the imposition of Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to the disruption caused by PTI protests and government restrictions. These protests had paralyzed business activities in the twin cities, leading to concerns among the business community. In response, former president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Zubair Tufail, issued a statement urging the government to take immediate steps to restore law and order and revive business activities.
Tufail expressed full support for any action the government may take to restore control in the province. He also mentioned that the ongoing road blockages were causing significant losses to businesses across the country, amounting to billions of rupees in damages.
Earlier, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor, Faisal Karim Kundi, had also hinted at the possibility of imposing Governor’s Rule in the province, stating that if the situation escalated, there would be no hesitation in invoking the Governor’s Rule for the sake of national stability and democracy. Kundi mentioned in a TV program that, during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the topic of Governor’s Rule had not come up, but if the situation worsened, the government would have no choice but to take such a step.