What happened
According to Dawn, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam—Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman criticized the federal government during a National Assembly session, accusing it of misusing the Constitution. Fazl asserted that the central administration improperly applied constitutional provisions to forcefully change leadership by imposing governor’s rule and emergency measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). To prevent unconstitutional actions and rising political friction, he advocated for creating a new Charter of Democracy.
Key facts
- Federal Measures: On October 11, the federal government enacted governor’s rule and emergency status in KP, pointing to the provincial government's intentional detachment from anti-terrorism efforts.
- Districts Affected: According to Fazl, governor's rule applies to half the province, while an emergency covers 12 districts managed by a council. The specific names of these 12 districts were not specified in the source; please check the official notice.
- Mediation Narrative: Fazl detailed his attempts to resolve political disputes between the opposition and federal leadership. He stated that after discussions with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar notified him that the cabinet rejected compromise and insisted on governor's rule.
- Government Response: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhary stated that governor’s rule is scheduled for six months and emergency measures apply only to designated areas. He defended the Centre's decision, accusing KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi of deploying provincial resources to march on Islamabad and supporting terrorists.
- Counterterrorism and Security: Fazl challenged the central government's law-and-order claims, citing incidents in Balochistan, and defended his party against those questioning its patriotism by highlighting JUI-F's sacrifices in fighting terrorism.
Why it matters
According to Dawn, the emergency enforcement in KP has deepened political divisions between the Centre and opposition parties. Fazl warned that parliamentary tolerance is breaking down and declared that his party is prepared to politically resist federal overreach rather than submit to forced governance.
Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 28, 2026 · Photo by Denny Müller on Unsplash
