Why Pakistan declared emergency in Imran Khan’s party-ruled Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and imposed governor’s rule

Pakistan’s government has suspended the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) administration in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and put the province under governor’s rule, TOI reported. Direct control of a province with around 40 million people now sits with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government. Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s party loses one of its strongest political bases.

Islamabad says law and order has worsened in province while provincial government failed to act against terrorism. PTI calls the move political. Soon after emergency was announced, reports said chief minister Sohail Afridi and PTI provincial president Junaid Akbar were taken into custody.

What Happened In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?

Federal government suspended the PTI-led administration in the province and imposed governor’s rule. Under governor’s rule, a governor appointed by Islamabad takes over running of the province. President Asif Ali Zardari approved the emergency on prime minister’s advice. His office cited a “failure of negotiations” between government and PTI leaders in province. Reports of arrests of PTI leaders came soon after the announcement.

What Reason Did Government Give?

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office said cabinet reviewed the “deteriorating law and order situation” in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Statement also pointed to provincial government’s “deliberate indifference in the war against terrorism.”

Militants linked to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have killed thousands of security personnel and civilians in recent years. TTP is an ideological ally of Afghan Taliban.

Interior ministry said army personnel will help provincial authorities run the province, protect public property and guard government installations. Junior interior minister Talal Chaudhry told Financial Times the move was a “routine measure” meant to help provincial authorities carry out their responsibilities, particularly in the fight against terrorism.

Figures compiled by Islamabad-based Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), as reported by Financial Times, show 485 civilian and security personnel deaths in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in first nine months of 2026. Figure is 16% lower than same period in 2025. Across Pakistan, such deaths rose 9%, according to think tank.

What Did PTI Say?

PTI accuses Shehbaz Sharif government of using security concerns as a pretext to remove its elected administration in province. Party spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram said arrests of chief minister Sohail Afridi and Junaid Akbar had “exposed the political nature of the government’s actions.”

Akram added measures were “not directed at addressing security challenges.” Party says aim is to weaken PTI, undermine elected provincial government and disregard democratic will of people.

Who Has Been Arrested?

An X account associated with Junaid Akbar, a member of parliament and PTI’s provincial president, said Akbar and chief minister Sohail Afridi had been taken into custody. Pakistan’s interior ministry and armed forces did not respond to requests for comment, Financial Times report quoted by TOI.

Afridi, 37, is youngest chief minister in Pakistan’s history and comes from tribal belt bordering Afghanistan. Just hours before his government was suspended, Afridi had vowed to continue march until protesters’ demands were met. Afridi said in a post on X, “We will not back down.”

What Triggered The Protests?

Thousands of people have taken to streets in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since early October. They are demanding Imran Khan’s release and protesting army counter-insurgency operations along border with Afghanistan.

PTI claims these operations have caused civilian deaths and damage. Afridi had been leading a long march across province in support of Khan. “There is no option other than accepting our demands,” Afridi had said in a post on X.

Why Does Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Matter To PTI?

PTI has governed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since 2013. Party won more than 60% of seats in provincial assembly in 2024 elections, two years after Khan was removed as prime minister through a parliamentary no-confidence vote.

Khan is widely regarded as Pakistan’s most popular politician. Candidates backed by him won largest number of seats in national assembly in 2024. They were kept out of power as military and country’s two dominant dynastic parties shaped post-election arrangement, according to Financial Times. FT also cited analysts who said PTI would comfortably win a competitive general election.Where Is Imran Khan Now?

Khan has been in jail since August 2023 on a series of charges, including corruption. PTI says charges are politically motivated. Supporters held rallies across Pakistan in August to mark three years of his imprisonment, and more than 100 were arrested, Deccan Herald reported.

What Is Governor’s Rule In Pakistan?

Under governor’s rule, a provincial chief minister loses all administrative powers for up to six months. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, earlier called North-West Frontier Province, has seen three spells of governor’s rule, in 1975, 1994 and 1999. In 2009, federal government led by Pakistan Peoples Party imposed governor’s rule in Punjab, suspending administrative powers of then chief minister Shehbaz Sharif.

(Inputs from TOI)