Urdu Report Desk
Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has said the government is seriously considering imposing an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Article 232 of the Constitution.
Speaking to journalists at Parliament House, Chaudhry said consultations were underway regarding the possible imposition of emergency in the province. His remarks came amid concerns over the security and law-and-order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Constitutional Procedure
Chaudhry said an emergency is imposed by the president and requires parliamentary approval. He said the government could constitutionally delegate the powers of the chief executive to another individual, including the governor, if required.
Under Article 232, the Constitution provides for an emergency in circumstances involving an internal disturbance that is beyond the control of a provincial government. The National Assembly also states that Parliament has a role in approving a proclamation of emergency under the provision.
Chaudhry said that if the imposition of emergency resulted in political consequences, the government would have to bear them.
Government Criticism of PTI Protests
Referring to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Chaudhry claimed that repeated calls for protests had failed to bring the numbers the party had announced in the three provinces.
He claimed that PTI had spoken of bringing 2 million people but could not gather even 20,000. He said the party had announced October 4 after its September 27 long march.
Security Situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Chaudhry said people were dissatisfied with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government over its handling of the law-and-order situation.
He said maintaining peace and promoting prosperity in the province would be welcomed by the public, but added that stopping the increase in terrorism was more important.
PTI’s October 4 March
Chaudhry also claimed that PTI would fail in its October 4 protest. He said differences and factional divisions existed within the party and that there was disagreement over the planned long march.
According to the minister, some PTI members were opposing the route of the proposed march towards Islamabad.
