QUETTA: Opposition members in the Balochistan Assembly on Monday strongly opposed the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, demanding the restoration of the PTI-led provincial government.
Government members, however, defended the decision, describing it as a constitutional measure necessitated by worsening security conditions and the provincial government’s alleged failure to fulfil its responsibilities.
Speaking on a point of order during the assembly session, Opposition Leader Younus Aziz Zehri said the decision was undemocratic, despite his party’s serious differences with the PTI.
“Where has the claim of respecting the people’s vote gone?” he asked, urging the authorities to restore the elected government and allow it to function through democratic means.
CM Bugti defends decision, citing security concerns and govt failures
Mr Zehri questioned whether emergency rule would guarantee peace in KP, warning that undermining an elected government could have serious consequences for democracy.
He condemned the decision on behalf of his party and the opposition, arguing that if a democratic government adopted the methods of dictators, citizens would be left with little recourse to justice.
National Party parliamentary leader Dr Abdul Malik Baloch also criticised the move, saying the Constitution contained provisions beyond Articles 232 and 234, including Article 1.
He said Pakistan was fortunate to have a democratic system and warned that the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in KP was a troubling development that might not remain confined to the province.
Dr Abdul Malik said he had received information that Balochistan had initially been considered for emergency rule, raising concerns that similar measures could eventually be extended nationwide. He argued that successive martial laws, emergencies and periods of governor’s rule had deprived people of their powers and rights.
He called for the immediate restoration of the KP government.
Defending the federal government’s position, provincial minister Zahoor Buledi questioned whether the authorities should remain silent while the province faced insecurity and terrorism.
He said failing to support the state in its fight against terrorism was unacceptable and maintained that emergency measures had become necessary under the circumstances.
PML-N parliamentary leader and provincial minister Mir Saleem Khosa said the federal government had made considerable efforts to improve conditions, but the KP government’s conduct had been inappropriate.
Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the framers of the Constitution had incorporated the relevant provisions with situations such as the present one in mind. He cautioned against comparing the security situations in Balochistan and KP, arguing that the two provinces and their governments were fundamentally different.
CM Bugti said the decision was based not only on law and order concerns but also on the KP government’s alleged failure to play its role. He claimed that funds allocated for security had instead been used to establish a social media team, stressing that security institutions needed legislative support and a coherent national narrative to combat terrorism.
He also alleged that the PTI had not suffered attacks on the scale experienced by other political parties, whose leaders and workers had been killed by terrorists. He questioned whether this raised concerns about the party’s alleged links with militant groups.
Expressing hope that no further attacks would occur, CM Bugti questioned what special measures the KP government had taken to prevent them.
Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2026
