Pakistan’s parliament on Thursday endorsed the federal government’s decision to impose emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a northwestern province previously governed by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Opposition lawmakers protested during a joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate, holding placards bearing slogans such as “Emergency na manzoor” (Emergency is unacceptable).
The Shehbaz Sharif government imposed emergency and governor’s rule in the province on October 11, citing the provincial government’s alleged failure to cooperate with federal counterterrorism efforts amid rising militant violence.
The move came after weeks of political tensions between the Centre and the PTI, which had announced a long march to Islamabad demanding Khan’s release and access to him in prison, including a transfer to hospital for examination by his personal doctors.
The federal intervention effectively displaced the PTI-led provincial government.
During Thursday’s joint sitting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry moved a motion under Rule 232 of the Parliament (Joint Sitting) Rules, 1973, seeking the suspension of certain sub-rules. He then presented two resolutions — one endorsing the proclamation of emergency under Article 232 of the Constitution and the other supporting governor’s rule under Article 234.
Both resolutions were passed after a debate involving treasury and opposition members, according to a statement issued by the National Assembly.
The endorsement followed separate sittings of the National Assembly and the Senate on Wednesday, when both Houses passed resolutions supporting the emergency in the province. However, a joint sitting was required to approve governor’s rule.
Under Article 234, a proclamation of governor’s rule ceases to remain in force after two months unless approved by a joint sitting of parliament. It can be extended in two-month periods, subject to a maximum duration of six months.
Separately, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief whip Rana Muhammad Arshad submitted a resolution in the Punjab Assembly on Thursday backing the federal intervention.
The resolution cited deteriorating law and order, rising terrorism and the need to protect citizens’ lives and property as grounds for the move. It praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for prioritising national security and the authority of the state over political considerations.
It also maintained that the intervention was based on official data, security agency reports and ground realities, while stressing that extraordinary measures must comply with the Constitution and the law. The resolution expressed hope that the steps would curb terrorism, restore the authority of state institutions and bring lasting peace to the province.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which borders Afghanistan, has long faced militant violence, including attacks by the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Amnesty International has raised concerns over reports of arbitrary detentions of political leaders and internet disruptions in the province. In a statement on Monday, the rights organisation warned that emergency measures must not be used to suppress dissent or concentrate power, and called for independent oversight.
The federal government has defended the intervention as necessary to strengthen counterterrorism efforts and restore order, while the PTI has opposed the suspension of its provincial government.