PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan condemned the declaration of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday, along with the governor’s rule imposed there. He called the federal government’s decision “undemocratic” and warned that it could intensify the political standoff between the Centre and the province.
In a statement, Gohar described the move as a serious political error. He said residents of the province would not accept measures that erode their rights and electoral mandate.
Gohar’s objections to the KP emergency
Gohar argued that the mandate held by the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is protected under both the constitution and the law. He said peace and stability could not be built by ignoring that mandate, weakening provincial autonomy or pitting the federal and provincial governments against each other.
He added that his party would take the issue to every constitutional, legal and democratic forum to defend the public mandate, provincial autonomy and democratic rights.
Counterterrorism, federalism and national unity
Gohar said no one disputed the need to eliminate militancy. However, he argued that the campaign against it could not be used to silence public voices, advance political aims or curtail the province’s constitutional powers. He said that combating terrorism was possible only through “national unity and a joint strategy.”
He maintained that weakening the provinces would not strengthen the federation. Resolving the country’s problems, he said, required political wisdom, constitutional supremacy, real dialogue and concrete steps rather than coercion and extraordinary measures.
Calls to reverse the decision and presidential sign-off
Gohar urged the federal government to reconsider, saying there was still time to withdraw the move within days. He asked the Centre to put aside its ego, recognise ground realities, accept legitimate demands and respect public sentiment, warning that failing to do so could cause further political and economic harm.
He said reviewing decisions reflected wisdom rather than weakness, and that refusing to reconsider could have serious consequences. Separately, according to the presidential proclamation, President Asif Ali Zardari signed the advice sent by the Prime Minister’s Office to impose the emergency, amid concerns over a deteriorating security situation.
