Parliament’s joint sitting on Thursday approved the imposition of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Of the members who voted, 214 backed the resolution and 56 opposed it. Lawmakers from the Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan supported the motion, while opposition members staged a protest and chanted slogans against governor’s rule.
The resolution, which covered both the emergency and governor’s rule in the province, was moved by Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry. National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq chaired the session. Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar were also present.
Opposition demands lead to a formal head count
Documents relating to the president’s proclamation of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were placed before the joint sitting under Article 232(7) of the Constitution. Papers on the imposition of governor’s rule were tabled under Article 234(3). After the resolution was presented, opposition lawmakers demanded a count of the members in the House.
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the opposition was seeking a count and that its request should be accommodated. The speaker then ordered that members be counted, and the tally confirmed 214 votes in favour and 56 against. At the start of the session, Ayaz Sadiq referred to a tragic incident in Peshawar in which students were killed and asked members to pray for the dead. After the vote, he opened the floor for debate.
Earlier approvals in both houses of parliament
A day earlier, the National Assembly and the Senate had passed resolutions backing the emergency proclamation, though opposition lawmakers protested during both sittings. The National Assembly adopted its resolution by a majority after more than four hours of debate. The opposition’s protest targeted what it saw as a federal move aimed at the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial government.
The Senate also approved the resolution by a majority, though the session was marked by an uproar. PTI lawmakers objected to the measure and walked out of the House.
Government cites security as PTI rejects claims
The federal government has maintained that the emergency was imposed in line with the Constitution. It said the step was necessary to address a deteriorating security situation in the province. Officials said the decision was driven by security concerns and the need for more effective coordination against militancy.
The move follows weeks of heightened tension between the federal government and the PTI over security policy, political protests and demands concerning the party’s founder, Imran Khan, who remains in prison. The PTI has rejected accusations that its provincial administration failed to deal with terrorism.
Under the arrangement announced by the government, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi will oversee provincial affairs with the help of an 11-member advisory council.
