Centre mulls imposing 'emergency' in K-P

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Wednesday said that the federal government was "seriously considering" imposing emergency in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Chaudhry, while speaking to the media at the Parliament House, again referred to the security situation in K-P and said the federal government was "seriously considering" the imposition of emergency in the province. "The provincial government's lack of interest or success in controlling it (terrorism) is the reason for which the imposition of emergency under Article 232 is being discussed," he said, expressing confidence that the PPP - an ally of the ruling PML-N in the Centre - would also cooperate in this regard. Meanwhile, Information Minister Atta Tarar said the PTI had become "politically weak" and questioned whether Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had the political strength to launch a long march. Talking to the media in Islamabad, the minister said the provincial government's "failure of governance" was evident, accusing it of failing to curb terrorism in the province. He said the federal government provided funds every year under the National Finance Commission (NFC) to combat terrorism, yet major attacks had occurred in Kohat and Dera Ismail Khan. "The provincial government should abandon politics and go where people are being killed," Tarar said, stressing that ending terrorism should take priority over political activities. He said the question of imposing governor's rule in K-P was premature, adding that the situation in the province had deteriorated across sectors, including health and education. Tarar said he had visited Kohat, Charsadda and Peshawar and witnessed the province's "governance failures". Recalling his visit to the home of slain Constable Faheemullah, he said, "Bodies are falling in K-P. Politics will continue, but people must first be protected from terrorism." The minister alleged that the Afghan government was supporting terrorism and said Pakistan had given a strong response and would continue to do so. Meanwhile, sources said no meeting had been held under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the imposition of governor's rule or an emergency in K-P. According to the sources, the prime minister would make a decision on the province's political situation after consulting the senior leadership. The clarification came amid speculation over possible measures in K-P, including the imposition of emergency or governor's rule. The prime minister recently returned to Pakistan after completing a 13-day visit to the United States and the United Kingdom, during which he represented Pakistan at the United Nations General Assembly and held meetings with world leaders and business figures. He also visited the London Stock Exchange and became the first Pakistani prime minister to deliver a speech there. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Wednesday said the party's planned October 4 long march would remain a peaceful and political activity, urging the government to avoid imposing measures such as governor rule or emergency in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.