Crisis brewing in Pak? Shehbaz govt declares emergency, dissolves Imran Khan's govt
The Pakistani government has declared an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, effectively dissolving the provincial government led by Imran Khan's PTI party. The move follows rising terrorist activity and ongoing protests demanding the release of the jailed former prime minister.
Why it matters
The suspension of a provincial government amid mass protests signals a significant escalation in Pakistan's internal political and security crisis.
Pakistan on Sunday declared an emergency in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), suspending the provincial government led by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party amid deteriorating law and order and a growing confrontation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government.President Asif Ali Zardari issued the proclamation under Articles 232(1) and 234(1) of the Constitution, citing rising terrorist attacks and a breakdown of constitutional machinery in the province. The move strips the elected provincial administration of its powers, with the chief minister, provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants and advocate general required to vacate their offices.The decision comes as thousands of PTI supporters march towards Islamabad, demanding Khan's release and access to medical treatment for the former prime minister, who has been in prison since 2023 on corruption and other charges. The party has described the cases against him as politically motivated.
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