What happened
According to Dawn, the federal government of Pakistan has placed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) under governor’s rule via Article 234 and declared a state of emergency under Article 232, specifically targeting 12 districts. The measures were approved by the president following a recommendation from the federal cabinet and the prime minister, citing the provincial leadership's deliberate disengagement from fighting terrorism. In response, federal authorities authorized the deployment of Pakistan Army troops to assist local civil authorities, while security forces set up heavy police deployments and shipping containers to block roads in Peshawar. During a joint press briefing in Islamabad, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar defended the intervention, claiming the local population welcomed the decision as a sign of hope for improved safety.
Key facts
As reported by Dawn, the federal ministers outlined several key details regarding the provincial situation during their press conference:
- Surge in violence: The law minister cited a 195 percent increase in terrorist attacks in KP, recording 8,600 incidents between 2024 and 2026 compared to 2,900 between 2020 and 2024.
- Public reaction: The information minister stated that fewer than a dozen individuals gathered to protest the decision, asserting that mass public opposition did not occur.
- Governance failures: Federal officials alleged a complete breakdown of public services, health, and education reforms under the former PTI-led administration, alongside a failure to properly utilize National Finance Commission funds for police infrastructure.
- Balochistan comparison: Law Minister Azam noted that similar actions were not taken in Balochistan because its chief minister actively leads security and relief efforts on the ground.
Why it matters
According to Dawn, federal officials stated that the federal intervention was necessary because KP police and armed forces were coming under direct attack while innocent lives were being lost. The federal government accused the previous provincial leadership of prioritizing political gains and maintaining a political-terrorist nexus rather than aligning with national counterterrorism policy. The ministers emphasized that constitutional provisions were implemented to harmonize counterterrorism efforts between federal and provincial agencies, protect local livelihoods, and restore law and order across the province.
Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 13, 2026 · Photo by Debdut Chowdhury on Unsplash