Imran Khan’s stronghold in crisis: What's happening after emergency rule in Pak province

Pakistan’s political confrontation over jailed former prime minister Imran Khan has escalated after the federal government imposed emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, suspending the authority of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial administration. The move, announced on Sunday, brings one of the party’s most important political strongholds under federal control and has intensified tensions between the government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Khan’s supporters.President Asif Ali Zardari approved the measures under Articles 232(1) and 234(1) of Pakistan’s Constitution, citing a deteriorating security situation. Islamabad has accused the provincial government of failing to cooperate in the fight against terrorism, while the PTI has called the move an attempt to undermine its electoral mandate. A petition challenging the measures was filed in the Peshawar high court on Monday.