Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Information for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Affairs Ikhtiar Wali Khan said on Monday that Governor's Rule in the province would remain in force for as long as necessary and could continue until the next elections if required. "Governor's Rule will remain in place as long as necessary. If required, it will continue until the elections," Wali said. He added that elections would be held on schedule and that no obstacles would be allowed to disrupt the electoral process. Commenting on the status of KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Wali said he was in protective custody and had voluntarily surrendered himself.

He further claimed that the chief minister and members of the provincial assembly practically had already been suspended, adding that the assembly had not been functioning, as KP ministers were busy in a protest long march instead of focusing on managing the government affairs. Wali also vowed impartial accountability, saying that no one would be spared. A day earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari approved the imposition of Governor's Rule and an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) to maintain law and order. According to official details, the president signed a summary for the imposition of an emergency and Governor's Rule in the province under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The presidential proclamation cited a sharp increase in terrorist incidents and serious security threats as grounds for taking extraordinary constitutional measures in the province. It stated that attacks on government installations and law enforcement agencies had increased, posing significant risks to security and public order. The proclamation also alleged that the provincial government had failed to take adequate measures to address terrorism and lawlessness. It further referred to a report by the governor highlighting disruptions in the constitutional system and alleging that the provincial government was not functioning in accordance with the Constitution.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)