What happened
According to Dawn, key members of Pakistan's federal government have criticized Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for seeking a role in the governance of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The central government recently imposed governor's rule and an emergency in the province. Speaking in Jaranwala, State Minister for Interior Tallal Chaudhry stated that the provincial emergency setup was strictly an administrative measure established to combat terrorism, rather than a political maneuver to benefit the PML-N or distribute political power.
Key facts
- State Minister Tallal Chaudhry rejected claims that central rule was intended to gain control over KP's natural resources, noting that only one member of the KP Advisory Council has a political background, representing families of martyrs.
- Chaudhry criticized Fazl for bringing up the 1971 separation of East Pakistan following election defeats and alleged that a mutual interest arrangement existed between the PTI and the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
- Speaking in Sialkot, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif commended security forces and stated that prior government efforts to engage the opposition before imposing emergency rule were unsuccessful. He added that parliament could lift the emergency if provincial security conditions improve.
- Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi alleged in Lahore that a party leader was upset over being denied the KP governorship, claiming the politician had historically depended on the establishment for political advancement.
Why it matters
The central government justified enforcing governor's rule by pointing to the provincial government's deliberate disengagement from counter-terrorism efforts. The move has faced strong opposition from figures including Fazl, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, and Raja Nasir Abbas. Further legal details regarding the emergency decree were Not specified in the source; please check the official notice.
Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 17, 2026 · Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash