Pakistan has imposed emergency rule in the northern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a political stronghold of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, amid growing anti-government protests and worsening security concerns linked to militant violence.
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President Asif Ali Zardari approved the extraordinary measures on Sunday, October 11, 2026, following recommendations from the federal cabinet headed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The measures were invoked under Articles 232 and 234 of Pakistan’s Constitution, allowing the federal authorities to assume extensive functions of the provincial administration during the emergency.
The decision effectively sidelines the provincial government controlled by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, which has been leading demonstrations demanding the former prime minister’s release from prison.
Thousands of Khan’s supporters have been participating in a “long march” across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the PTI enjoys considerable support, following the breakdown of negotiations between the party and the federal government earlier this month.
The presidency said the emergency measures followed concerns over the law and order situation in the province and the failure of negotiations with government delegations.
Sharif’s office also cited what it described as the deteriorating security situation and accused the PTI-led provincial administration of failing to cooperate adequately in the fight against terrorism.
The PTI has rejected the federal government’s justification and strongly condemned the emergency declaration.
Shortly after the measures were announced, PTI officials claimed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and the party’s provincial president, Junaid Akbar, had been arrested.
PTI lawmaker Junaid Akbar’s account announced the alleged arrests, while provincial Information Minister Shafi Jan also said Afridi had been taken into custody. Federal authorities had not immediately publicly confirmed the reported arrests.
PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan described the emergency declaration as an “extremely alarming and grave political mistake” and an undemocratic measure.
“The people will never accept such actions against their rights,” he said.
He maintained that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had a constitutional right to their electoral mandate and argued that counterterrorism efforts should not be used to undermine provincial autonomy or suppress political opposition.
Security was tightened across Peshawar, the provincial capital, following the declaration, with large numbers of security personnel deployed around the chief minister’s residence.
Public transportation was disrupted, some roads were closed and mobile communications in parts of the area were reportedly affected.
The emergency came after PTI supporters began demonstrations across towns and cities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following the collapse of negotiations with the federal government on October 4.
Among the protesters’ demands was greater access to Khan, including access by his doctors.
Khan, a former international cricket star who served as Pakistan’s prime minister from 2018 until he was removed through a parliamentary vote of no confidence in April 2022, has been imprisoned since August 2023.
He has faced several criminal cases, including corruption-related charges and cases arising from unrest following his arrest. Khan and his legal team have repeatedly rejected allegations against him and maintained that the prosecutions are politically motivated.
The federal government has denied that the cases are designed to eliminate him politically.
The latest confrontation has unfolded alongside a serious security challenge in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the federal government has pointed to an increase in militant attacks as justification for stronger measures.
The federal authorities have accused the provincial administration of inadequate cooperation in counterterrorism efforts, while PTI leaders have argued that security operations must respect civilian rights and involve provincial and local political representatives.
Pakistan has also blamed some militant attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan on armed groups operating from neighbouring Afghanistan, allegations rejected by the Taliban government in Kabul.
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