Sources said the government agreed to facilitate a meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan before an emergency was imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). According to the sources, contacts between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) took place ahead of the emergency, with the talks centred on arranging a meeting with the party’s founder.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reportedly agreed to help arrange the meeting under the jail manual, sources said. The government also conveyed to PTI that one family member and one lawyer would be allowed to see the party founder, the sources added.
Disagreement over who would be allowed to visit Khan
During meetings of the party’s political and core committees, Mashal Yousafzai was put forward as the lawyer for the visit. Bushra Bibi’s daughter was suggested as the family representative, but she withdrew her name after opposition inside the party to Mashal Yousafzai’s nomination, sources said.
Sources further claimed the party later reached consensus on Bushra Bibi’s daughter as the family representative, though Sohail Afridi rejected that decision.
Presidential proclamation cites terrorism and governor’s report
President Asif Ali Zardari signed the summary imposing an emergency and Governor’s Rule in the province, citing Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, acting on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. According to the presidential proclamation, a rise in terrorist incidents and serious security threats led to the measures.
The proclamation pointed to more attacks on government installations and law enforcement agencies, warning that these posed serious risks to security and public order. It said the provincial government had not taken adequate steps against terrorism and lawlessness.
The governor’s report, referred to in the document, reportedly highlighted disruptions to the constitutional system and alleged the provincial government was not operating in line with the Constitution.
