Pakistan Imposes Emergency and Governor's Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Detains PTI Leaders

Pakistan's federal government imposed a state of emergency and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday. President Asif Ali Zardari signed the proclamation on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The order suspends the provincial government led by Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party. It cites the provincial administration's failure to tackle rising militant attacks.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the grounds were law and order, the fight against terrorism, and the need to protect citizens. The emergency covers 12 districts, including Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, North Waziristan and South Waziristan. The federal government authorized the deployment of army troops in aid of civil power. Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, a member of the Pakistan Peoples Party, will administer the province with an 11-member advisory council of technocrats. The arrangement is set for an initial six months.

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry confirmed that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was detained. PTI leaders reported the arrest of provincial party president Junaid Akbar as well. Two police officials told AFP that 278 PTI members had been detained since the declaration. Authorities are reviewing whether formal charges will be filed. Those without pending cases are expected to be released.

The decision followed the collapse of negotiations between the federal government and PTI leadership earlier in the month. Talks broke down over counterterrorism policy. PTI supporters had gathered in the province intending to march on Islamabad to demand Khan's release. The federal government accused the provincial administration of deliberate disengagement from the fight against terrorism. PTI officials called the move a coup disguised as an emergency and warned of further instability.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has faced increased attacks by militants aligned with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. The group has killed thousands of security personnel and civilians in recent years. Figures from the Centre for Research and Security Studies showed 485 such killings in the province in the first nine months of 2026, a 16 percent decline from the same period in 2025. Overall deaths of civilians and security forces across Pakistan rose 9 percent in the same comparison.

The constitution allows the federal government to assume provincial functions during an emergency under Articles 232 and 234. The order transfers executive powers to the governor. An Area Development Secretariat will be established in the affected districts to restore law and order and oversee development. A new chief secretary has been appointed for the province.

PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari described the action as political. The party retains a strong base in the province of roughly 40 million people. Khan remains in jail. The emergency escalates a long-running standoff between the military-backed federal government and the opposition party.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi warned protesters of legal action. The government has restricted movement in some areas. Police closed certain metro stations in related demonstrations elsewhere, but the primary focus remains the northwestern province.

The advisory council held its first meeting under the governor. Officials said the priority is security operations against militants and the resumption of normal administration. The six-month initial period can be extended. PTI leaders continue to contest the constitutional basis of the proclamation.

As of Monday, the detentions and the transfer of authority remain in effect. The combination of the emergency declaration, the governor's rule and the reported arrests of senior provincial figures establishes a new administrative structure in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Whether that structure reduces militant attacks or deepens political conflict will depend on the actions taken in the coming weeks.