According to a statement from the President’s House, attacks on government installations, critical infrastructure and law enforcement agencies have increased. The statement alleged that the provincial government had failed to effectively address terrorism and lawlessness.
Under the announced arrangements, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi will be empowered to perform provincial government functions assigned by the federal government. The governor will also exercise the powers of provincial institutions and officials, except those of the provincial assembly, according to the statement.
The development followed federal cabinet meeting, chaired by the prime minister Shehbaz Sharif in Sunday morning, reviewed the province’s deteriorating law and order situation and the growing threat of terrorism.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Rana Sanaullah, Salik Hussain and Attaullah Tarar were among those attending.
The cabinet was briefed on the security situation and expressed concern over what members described as the provincial government’s deliberate disengagement from the fight against terrorism.
According to sources, the cabinet recommended that the prime minister advise the president to exercise constitutional powers under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution to impose emergency measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The prime minister’s office subsequently sent the advice to the President’s House.
Before proceeding with the proposed measures, the federal government reportedly made a final attempt to negotiate with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government through Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. However, the effort failed.
During the cabinet meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar contacted Maulana Fazlur Rehman to discuss the situation and explore the possibility of a negotiated solution.
Cabinet members expressed serious concern over the province’s security challenges, arguing that the provincial government’s alleged lack of engagement in counterterrorism efforts was a matter of concern.
Meanwhile, security was tightened outside the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad. Additional police personnel were deployed along Constitution Avenue, and armoured vehicles were brought in as part of the security arrangements.