Talks fail, PTI marches to Islamabad; Pak mulls emergency in Pathan turf, KP

With the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party founded by jailed former cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, beginning its long march to Islamabad, the federal government is weighing the imposition of governor's rule or even a state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), which is governed by PTI Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.

Afridi launched the PTI's long march towards Islamabad from the city of Lakki Marwat in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, on October 4 (Sunday), demanding the release of its jailed founder and ex-PM Imran Khan, according to Karachi-based daily, Dawn. Originally announced back on September 27, the march kicked off on Sunday after negotiations between the PTI and Islamabad ended in deadlock.

According to Dawn, the march, which is being led by Afridi himself, reached Karak district late on Sunday, about 256 kilometres from Islamabad. Federal authorities, who have accused the PTI of "facilitating terrorists" are now seriously considering the imposition of the governor's rule, with Dawn, citing government sources, reporting on Monday that "the imposition of emergency is imminent".KP GOVERNOR WARNS OF IMPOSING EMERGENCY, MEETS INTERIOR MINISTER NAQVI

Following the start of the PTI's long march, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi was reported by Karachi-based daily The Express Tribune as telling reporters on Sunday, "If imposing emergency becomes necessary to save the province, then we will certainly impose it."

Kundi also warned those taking part in the march, saying, "If an emergency is imposed, I alone will be enough for them," The Express Tribune reported, adding that PTI workers were currently "hiding and getting themselves arrested".

Dawn later reported that Kundi met Interior Minister Moshin Naqvi on Sunday in Peshawar to discuss the political and security situation in the province.

Citing a statement from the Governor's House, Dawn reported that the two leaders expressed concern that the PTI's Islamabad march could "facilitate terrorists" in crossing security checkpoints. They added that if the president and prime minister deemed it necessary to impose governor's rule or an emergency to "save the province from terrorism and destruction", the Governor's House would play its full constitutional role.

The two also discussed the growing unrest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the province's political situation, and developments linked to the Islamabad march. The statement accused the KP government of adopting an "enmity" toward the people and the province during negotiations over counterterrorism operations.

Writing on X, Kundi noted that KP Inspector General of Police Zulfikar Hameed, and the KP Chief Secretary were also present at the meeting in Peshawar. He stated, "The security of our people remains our foremost priority. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has sacrificed enough, and every institution must work together to protect our people and defeat terrorism."

Speaking to Dawn, an unnamed "government source" said the government was seriously considering imposing governor's rule in KP.

"The government believes that its demands regarding KP's cooperation to curb terrorism were genuine and rightful; thus, there was no logic behind the PTI's decision to leave the dialogue . . . the imposition of emergency is imminent," the source claimed.

Separately, Defence Minister Khwaja Asif accused PTI leaders of facilitating terrorism in KP in a post on X.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Interior of Pakistan, Talal Chaudhry, was reported by Pakistan Today as claiming that the PTI and the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which has been spearheading protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, shared the "same pattern of protest".PTI LONG MARCH STARTED AFTER TALKS WITH GOVT COLLAPSED

KP CM Sohail Afridi kicked off the long march on Sunday after talks between the PTI and Islamabad collapsed.

According to a report by The Express Tribune, talks collapsed over competing demands from Islamabad and the PTI. Federal negotiators were reported to have wanted the PTI to call off the long march, while the latter sought more concrete assurances before doing so.

The main sticking point, according to The Express Tribune report, was the issue of counterterrorism. Interior Minister Naqvi claimed that the PTI-led government in KP backed out of commitments on tackling terrorism, including preventing militant safe havens, condemning the TTP, supporting the federal policy on Afghan refugees and strengthening cooperation with security forces.

PTI, meanwhile, said the federal government was seeking unilateral authority over counterterrorism measures. Its negotiators demanded federal-provincial consultation and the involvement of political and tribal stakeholders. They also sought a meeting with Imran Khan and assurances over his medical treatment, which they described as key conditions for ending the march.

This is not the first time that the imposition of governor's rule or a state of emergency in KP has been raised.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi warned on September 21 that the Centre was examining all legal options if the PTI proceeded with its march to Islamabad, including governor's rule. On September 30, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said emergency rule in KP was being "seriously" considered, The Express Tribune reported.

Dawn, meanwhile, reported that the option of imposing an emergency in KP was discussed in a September 30 meeting attended by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, before being dropped in favour of talks with the PTI.- Ends(Written by Shounak Sanyal)