Zardari Approves Emergency Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari approved emergency rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on October 11, suspending the provincial government led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and placing administration under the federal representative, the governor. The decision followed a recommendation from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s cabinet and came as PTI supporters prepared a march on Islamabad to demand the release of party founder Imran Khan. The President’s Office said Zardari approved the cabinet’s recommendation under Articles 232 and 234 of Pakistan’s Constitution, which address emergency powers and governor’s rule. The federal government also appointed Muhammad Fakhr Alam Irfan as the province’s chief secretary, according to an official notification. The notification said the appointment took effect immediately and would remain in place until further orders. The Prime Minister’s Office said cabinet members reviewed the security situation and accused the provincial government of deliberately disengaging from counterterrorism efforts.