Crisis brewing in Pak? Shehbaz govt declares emergency, dissolves Imran Khan's govt

Pakistan on Sunday declared an emergency in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), suspending the provincial government led by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party amid deteriorating law and order and a growing confrontation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government.

President Asif Ali Zardari issued the proclamation under Articles 232(1) and 234(1) of the Constitution, citing rising terrorist attacks and a breakdown of constitutional machinery in the province. The move strips the elected provincial administration of its powers, with the chief minister, provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants and advocate general required to vacate their offices.

The decision comes as thousands of PTI supporters march towards Islamabad, demanding Khan's release and access to medical treatment for the former prime minister, who has been in prison since 2023 on corruption and other charges. The party has described the cases against him as politically motivated. The emergency also follows failed negotiations between PTI and the federal government over the planned protest.

Terrorism, law and order cited

The presidential declaration said the emergency had been imposed because of the grave security situation and the provincial government's alleged failure to tackle militancy. “The extraordinary intensity of terrorist incidents poses serious threats to the lives and property of the public,” the declaration stated.

PTI protests, warns of bloodshed

PTI has been mobilising supporters to pressure the federal government over Khan's imprisonment. KPK chief minister Sohail Afridi is leading the protest march, which began in Lakki Marwat on October 4 and has passed through several districts. The party had initially planned to take the march to Islamabad for a sit-in, but authorities have erected roadblocks using shipping containers at entry points to the capital and other locations.

Two rounds of talks between PTI and the government failed to break the deadlock. Zulfikar Bukhari, a close Khan aide and PTI spokesman, called the emergency a “ridiculous decision”, saying KPK had the country's “only legitimately elected government”. “This will only lead to further bloodshed, instability and collateral damage,” he said, adding that there had always been room for talks but the decision showed negotiations were never the government's intention. Previous protests by Khan's supporters have turned violent, with security personnel and civilians killed during demonstrations in 2024.