What happened

The emergency and governor’s rule recently imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) could be removed if the opposition works alongside the federal government on a counterterrorism strategy, according to Dawn. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari made the statement during a media address in Karachi while visiting the Karsaz Monument on the 19th anniversary of the Karsaz bombing.

Key facts

  • The Centre imposed governor's rule and an emergency in KP a week earlier, pointing to deliberate disengagement by the provincial government in combatting terrorism.
  • The central government's action followed a protest march and mobilization drive by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) seeking the release of its jailed founder, Imran Khan.
  • Bilawal backed the emergency measures, criticizing KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi for refusing to face militants and stating that the PPP is prepared to combat them.
  • Bilawal blamed past 2021 policies under former Prime Minister Imran Khan for current security issues, stating that militants from Afghanistan were invited to settle in Swat, Malakand, and former tribal areas, and jailed terrorists were released.
  • He clarified that KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, while originally a PPP nominee, officially serves as a representative of the federal government.
  • Bilawal invited the opposition to participate in an electoral reforms committee established in the National Assembly. Specific details regarding discussions on new provinces were not specified in the source; please check the official notice.

Why it matters

According to Dawn, Pakistan is facing a historic economic crisis alongside widespread terrorist attacks spanning from Khyber to Khuzdar. Bilawal emphasized that overcoming economic challenges depends on successfully countering terrorism through cross-party consensus. Defending the role of political compromise, he argued that cooperation is essential to strengthen Pakistan's democratic system, improve the electoral framework, and restore security across the country.

📰 Read the Original Report

Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 18, 2026 · Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash