Federal ministers have defended the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, accusing the former PTI-led provincial government of failing to tackle terrorism. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar told a press conference on Tuesday that the provincial government was not ready to break what he called a ‘political terror crime nexus’, and said that nexus would be eradicated.
The briefing came two days after the federal government imposed emergency and governor’s rule in the province. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, who also addressed reporters, said the constitutional steps were taken after negotiations failed and the security situation deteriorated. Both ministers said the intervention was meant to restore law and order.
Government cites sharp rise in terrorist attacks
Azam Nazeer Tarar said the government acted under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution after reviewing reports of worsening security conditions. He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded approximately 2,900 terrorism-related incidents between 2021 and 2024, compared with around 8,600 between 2024 and 2026, an increase he described as 195%.
According to the law minister, attacks had targeted the provincial police, armed forces, federal agencies, customs officials, religious scholars and civilians. He cited attacks on security personnel and customs officials as evidence that the situation had deteriorated, and argued that the provincial government had not made counterterrorism a priority.
He said the federal government had pursued talks and set up a committee to resolve differences with the provincial administration, but those discussions did not produce an agreement. The federal cabinet then decided, without dissent, to invoke the constitutional provisions to protect residents and strengthen the federation, he said.
Tarar alleges PTI links to militants and illegal trade
The information minister alleged that the former provincial government had failed to develop an effective counterterrorism strategy. He said it had not adequately equipped the police or invested in essential security infrastructure. He also questioned how the provincial administration had used funds allocated to it through the National Finance Commission, claiming that substantial resources had not translated into adequate counterterrorism capacity.
Tarar further alleged that militant groups had benefited from illegal trade and smuggling in sectors such as minerals, timber, tobacco, gold and precious stones. He accused the provincial government of facilitating militant activity, but did not present supporting evidence at the press conference. These remain allegations made by the federal government.
He also claimed that the PTI government had maintained contacts with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and said the federal government would provide evidence of the alleged links. Tarar said the Centre had sought a unified counterterrorism policy rather than concessions on the party’s political demands.
The information minister also said Pakistan could not pursue conflicting approaches towards Afghanistan and counterterrorism. He noted that Islamabad was demanding that the Afghan Taliban government prevent militant groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks in Pakistan.
Emergency rule, governor’s rule and districts under federal arrangement
The move follows the suspension of the PTI-led provincial government after President Asif Ali Zardari promulgated emergency rule amid a worsening security situation and rising tensions between the Centre and the PTI. Under the measures announced on Sunday, the provincial government’s executive powers were transferred to the governor, and an 11-member advisory council was constituted to oversee provincial affairs.
Twelve districts have been placed under a federal administrative arrangement overseen by the governor. They are:
- Dera Ismail Khan
- Tank
- Lakki Marwat
- Bannu
- Bajaur
- Mohmand
- Khyber
- Kurram
- Orakzai
- Upper South Waziristan
- Lower South Waziristan
- North Waziristan
An Area Development Secretariat has been set up to oversee administration, security and development in those districts. The government has also authorised the deployment of army personnel under Article 245 of the Constitution to assist the civil administration.
Tarar said the new structure included individuals with experience in public service and counterterrorism. He added that the advisory council had been constituted with regional, tribal and gender representation in mind. The federal government intends to improve security, strengthen governance and create conditions for development in the province, he said.
Law minister says constitutional measures are temporary
Responding to a question about how long the measures would last, Azam Nazeer Tarar said Article 234 provides a maximum six-month period for the arrangement commonly known as governor’s rule. The Constitution does not specify a corresponding time limit for an emergency under Article 232, he said. He added that Parliament could review the measures and extend the relevant provisions where necessary.
The law minister also said the provincial assembly’s position under the constitutional arrangements differed from that of the provincial government, and that legislative functions could be restored under the applicable provisions. Asked whether the federal government would take further steps if the new administration failed to contain terrorism, he said the immediate objective was to improve security and restore normal conditions.
Tarar maintained that the decision was not intended to permanently displace provincial democratic institutions. The government wants Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to return to peaceful conditions, he said.
