PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN / RankWire.AI / – Pakistan has declared governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following approval from President Asif Ali Zardari, based on the recommendation of the federal cabinet. This move transfers authority over provincial executive functions from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf administration to Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. The decision was made during a cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who endorsed the measure. The federal government cited deteriorating security conditions and issues related to counterterrorism coordination as the primary reasons. The northwestern province, sharing a border with Afghanistan, has experienced multiple militant attacks.
Legal justification for this intervention hinges on Articles 232 and 234 of Pakistan’s Constitution. Article 232 permits emergency actions when significant internal unrest threatens national or regional security, while Article 234 authorizes federal intervention if a provincial government becomes unable to operate under constitutional standards. During governor’s rule, the governor assumes control over executive functions, and Parliament may temporarily exercise authorities typically held by the provincial legislature. This constitutional framework explicitly excludes the transfer of judicial powers to the federal government.
Responsibility for provincial governance now rests with Governor Kundi, who is supported by an advisory council. The administration has allocated portfolios across key sectors including finance, law, health, education, and internal security. Additionally, Dr Muhammad Fakhr Alam has been appointed as the province’s chief secretary by federal authorities. Kundi called on residents to uphold public order and avoid violence amid the transitional period. Security forces increased their presence around major government buildings and sensitive sites in Peshawar following the implementation of these measures.
Federal authorities authorize military support to assist provincial security
The federal government has also authorized army personnel and military resources to support civilian authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Interior Ministry issued this authorization under Article 245 of the Constitution. The directive covers safeguarding residents, public property, and key government facilities during the emergency. Provincial officials will coordinate troop deployment with military commanders, while police and other security agencies continue their roles in maintaining public order under the oversight of the governor.
This step follows extended political tensions between the federal government and PTI over security policies and other national issues. Negotiations between the two sides collapsed earlier in October, after which PTI supporters resumed protests demanding the release of former prime minister Imran Khan. Khan has been detained since August 2023 and faces multiple criminal cases. PTI maintains that the cases are unjust and has repeatedly called for his release.
PTI disputes legality of provincial administration removal
PTI leaders condemned the imposition of governor’s rule, accusing federal authorities of overriding the elected provincial government. Party chairman Gohar Ali Khan argued that reducing provincial autonomy would not effectively address Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s security challenges. Senior PTI figure Zulfiqar Bukhari also criticized the federal intervention. Former Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had opposed the emergency measures prior to their approval by the cabinet. PTI has dismissed federal critiques of its counterterrorism efforts and disputes claims that its government failed to cooperate.
The approval of the measures came after President Zardari received the cabinet’s recommendation from Prime Minister Sharif’s administration. The decision was based on security intelligence, ongoing political developments, and concerns regarding coordination with provincial authorities. Under the constitutional arrangement, Governor Kundi now manages provincial executive functions. The army’s support remains linked to the emergency and governor’s rule framework. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continues to operate under the governor-led administration while federal measures remain in effect.