What happened
According to Dawn, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Peshawar to lead an apex committee meeting focused on assessing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's overall security situation and measures against terrorism. Reported on Thursday by state media, the trip represents the Prime Minister's first visit to the province following the federal government's declaration of an emergency and imposition of governor's rule on October 11.
The high-level security meeting included KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, various federal and provincial ministers, and senior military leaders. Specific decisions or official resolutions from the session were not specified in the source; please check the official notice.
Key facts
- Reason for intervention: The central government instituted governor's rule and an emergency in KP on October 11, pointing to what it described as deliberate disengagement from anti-terrorism efforts by the PTI-led provincial government. Parliament endorsed these actions last week despite opposition protests.
- Military assistance: Authorities authorized the deployment of Pakistan Army troops and military resources to support civil authorities in the province.
- Provincial leadership shift: Governor Kundi assumed responsibility for provincial administration, committing to align with federal counterterrorism directives and work alongside security forces.
- Failed talks: Prior to the imposition of emergency rule, discussions between central officials and the PTI collapsed due to disagreements over counterterrorism policy, including approaches regarding the Afghan Taliban.
Why it matters
As reported by Dawn, the political and security transition follows intense friction between the federal government and the PTI. Federal ministers alleged that the provincial administration maintained ties with militant groups and compromised regional safety. Meanwhile, the PTI claimed it was sidelined from major security decisions and launched political demonstrations demanding the release of its jailed founder, Imran Khan. The apex committee session reflects a central effort to centralize security policy and counterterrorism operations in the province under federal oversight.
Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 22, 2026 · Photo by d12 pax on Unsplash