Why Pakistan declared emergency in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa | Explained
The Pakistani government has imposed emergency rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, citing rising terrorism and security threats. This move has effectively sidelined the provincial government led by the PTI party, which has been protesting for the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Why it matters
The declaration of emergency in a major province highlights the deepening political and security crisis in Pakistan, potentially destabilizing the region.
The story so far: The Government of Pakistan on Sunday (October 11, 2026) imposed emergency rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , the restive northwestern Province where the PTI — Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the party founded by imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan — has been in power. In a social media post, President Asif Ali Zardari said he had approved the summary recommendations of the Cabinet that had earlier met under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Mr. Zardari cited growing incidents of terrorism in the Province and dismissed the provincial government saying “terrorist attacks have increased to an unprecedented level of violent intensity posing grave threat to the lives and properties of the people of the province”.
Also covering this story
5 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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