The President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, declared a state of emergency on Sunday and suspended the provincial government of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan. This decision was made following federal government allegations of failure to combat Islamic extremism.
Details of the State of Emergency
According to constitutional laws, the federal government is allowed to assume some or all responsibilities of provincial governments during emergencies. The Law Minister, Azam Nazeer Tarar, announced at a press conference in Islamabad that a provincial governor with an advisory council will take charge of administration, and this situation will initially last for six months.
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The Interior Ministry also announced that military forces will be deployed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan. This province has witnessed an increase in terrorist attacks in recent months. The Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, described the security situation as so critical that in some areas, residents do not leave their homes after sunset.
Political Tensions and Counter-Accusations
The federal government and military have accused Imran Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, of failing to rein in extremists. In return, Khan's party has denied these accusations, claiming that the federal government has failed to provide the necessary financial resources and equipment to address these challenges.
Islamabad has also accused Afghanistan of harboring Islamic extremists who carry out attacks inside Pakistan. The Pakistani government claims that Khan's party has sympathized with the Taliban in Kabul and its allies within the country. Both sides, including the Afghan Taliban and Khan's party, have denied these allegations.
The declaration of a state of emergency follows a decision by the federal cabinet and based on the advice of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. Sharif emphasized in the cabinet meeting that security forces and citizens have been under attack over the past two years and cannot remain silent spectators in the face of this situation.
This development comes as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party has held rallies for several days to pressure the government for Khan's release, threatening to march towards the capital Islamabad in the coming days. Khan's supporters claim that the military rigged the 2024 elections in favor of his rivals.
Zulfiqar Bukhari, one of Khan's advisors, stated that this action resembles a covert coup disguised as a state of emergency and poses a risk of further bloodshed and instability. Prior to the planned march, authorities have arrested Khan's three sisters and hundreds of his party activists.
The government has also restricted access to the capital, Islamabad, blocking main roads with shipping containers and deploying tens of thousands of security forces. The last major rally of Khan's party ended two years ago with deadly clashes with security forces.
Khan's arrest in 2023 led to nationwide riots that threatened the position of the Pakistani military. Various cases have been filed against Khan, including allegations of receiving state gifts, inciting violence, and illegal marriage. All convictions except one have been suspended or overturned, and appeals are under review. Khan has denied any wrongdoing.
The latest rallies coincide with public dissatisfaction over rising prices and escalating inflation, which has extended beyond Khan's core supporters.
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