• PTI rejects move, calls for counterterrorism measures under National Action Plan
• Tarar cites surge in terrorism to justify emergency, accuses Afridi of neglecting security forces
• Achakzai sees governor’s rule being imposed next in Sindh
• Bilawal urges renewed talks with PTI, says emergency can’t continue indefinitely
• Sadiq issues production orders for two lawmakers
• Joint sitting to take up emergency today
ISLAMABAD: Shortly after the National Assembly passed a resolution endorsing the federal government’s imposition of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday, the Senate also approved the measure.
The Centre imposed governor’s rule and emergency in KP on Sunday, citing the provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement” from the fight against terrorism.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry tabled motions regarding the proclamation of emergency in both Houses.
In the Senate, the resolution was passed amid protests from the opposition, with PTI senators staging a walkout.
The National Assembly’s question hour was suspended as the House took up the emergency resolution. The motion was adopted by a majority vote after Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar opened the debate.
The parliamentary affairs minister read out the presidential proclamation of emergency while tabling the motion.
Throughout Wednesday’s proceedings, opposition members participated calmly and did not stage any loud protests, unlike previous occasions when the PTI has opposed the Centre’s moves.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also attended part of the session. Pictures of the proceedings showed him shaking hands with opposition leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai.
‘Threat to national security’
Addressing the House, the law minister said emergency had been imposed in KP because the security situation there was becoming a threat to “national security”.
He highlighted a rise in terrorism in the province, particularly after 2021, which he attributed to the provincial government’s approach.
“Perhaps there might be foreign, diplomatic and political reasons behind it, which got inflamed due to a political party’s point of view,” he said.
Mr Tarar maintained that 2,911 incidents of terrorism had taken place in KP between 2021 and 2024, but the number had surged to 3,787 between Oct 15, 2025, and Oct 9, 2026.
He criticised non-functional KP chief minister Sohail Afridi for allegedly ignoring the sacrifices of martyred security personnel and police officers while “preferring to promote his political designs and make visits across the country”.
“Even this was announced that the federal capital will be conquered,” he said, referring to the PTI’s plan to hold a protest march towards Islamabad.
He said two days would be “remembered in the country’s democratic history with regard to misfortune and a political party”.
On the emergency measures, the law minister said a special mechanism had been introduced for 12 districts of KP.
Speaking after Mr Tarar, Mr Achakzai criticised the former for attempting to portray the provincial government as having failed to tackle terrorism.
Noting the participation of the PPP, which is in power in Sindh, the opposition leader warned that governor’s rule would be imposed next in Sindh over the “occupation of water, mines and streams”.
“Reverse these decisions,” Mr Achakzai said, urging that parliament should be made the centre of power. “And Pakistan will be saved.”
He also called for the Centre to give provinces their rights and resources.
Taking to the NA floor, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif recalled the PTI’s tenure in the federal government and criticised the party’s past actions.
Referring to former prime minister Imran Khan’s plan to resettle members of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), he said the PTI had tried to convince the then opposition that “bringing these terrorists back would be better for Pakistan”.
Commenting on the current political situation, Mr Asif alleged that the non-functional KP chief minister used to “take directives […] from a person sitting in Afghanistan”.
He referred to a TTP statement condemning the imposition of emergency and the deployment of troops in certain areas. “Who is their ally and who is their rival?” he asked.
‘Political suicide attack’
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari blamed the PTI for the circumstances that had compelled the Centre to impose emergency in KP, describing the situation as a “political suicide attack” for the party.
However, he urged both the treasury and opposition benches to resume dialogue and make joint efforts to combat terrorism.
He argued that the PTI’s actions and statements had left neither the president, the federal government nor him with any legal or political reason to oppose the imposition of emergency in KP.
“But even today, I would recommend to the federal government that we extend our hand forward once again for negotiations, political discussions and try to find a resolution and a middle path,” he added.
The PPP chairman said emergency was “always a stopgap measure”.
‘Implementation of NAP’
PTI interim chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan told the NA that his party rejected the Centre’s decision to impose emergency in KP.
He questioned what alleged involvement in terrorism had led to the arrest of the PTI founder’s wife and sisters, and what charges had been levelled against party MNAs and MPAs who, he said, had also been detained.
“One person is not present in the House currently. When he comes during a joint session, then I will reveal the reality of the negotiations,” he added.
He said the PTI had consistently raised its voice against terrorism and stressed that counterterrorism measures should be taken in accordance with the National Action Plan (NAP).
Recounting the Oct 3 talks with the government, Barrister Gohar said the PTI had been asked to immediately call off its protest march.
“I said where did [the topic of] terrorism arise from suddenly,” he said.
Noting that the government had raised “five reservations”, Barrister Gohar said the PTI was willing to bring the KP Police Act in line with those of Punjab and Sindh.
He also welcomed the PPP chairman’s proposal to resume dialogue.
In response, Mr Bhutto-Zardari, pointing towards Barrister Gohar and Mr Achakzai, said: “I believe that none of them is allied with terrorists. I believe that they will definitely want to combat terrorism; however, they cannot deny the fact that their former chief minister contradicted this fact.”
At one point during the proceedings, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said the Oct 3 dialogue had been held in a cordial atmosphere.
Mr Sadiq praised both sides for “attempting more than their capacity so that the matter is settled”.
However, he said some matters were beyond the parties’ control and voiced support for reconstituting the same negotiation committees if talks were needed in the future.
Speaking on the floor of the NA, MQM-P’s Farooq Sattar said his party supported the decision taken by the prime minister.
“This was an extremely difficult decision, but so unavoidable that you had no other option,” Mr Sattar said, referring to the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule.
The NA session was adjourned until Oct 16 (Friday).
Production orders
Meanwhile, the speaker issued production orders for PTI lawmakers Sanaullah Masti Khel and Dawar Kundi, directing that their presence in the House be ensured.
According to the production orders, seen by Dawn, the speaker considered the presence of the two MNAs necessary for the NA session summoned by President Asif Ali Zardari on Oct 13. He noted that both lawmakers were in the custody of the Punjab police.
Joint sitting summoned
President Zardari has summoned a joint sitting of parliament today (Thursday) at Parliament House, according to a post on the National Assembly’s official account on X.
A notification said the primary purpose of the joint sitting was to formally ratify the governor’s rule and emergency measures recently imposed in KP.
Lawmakers are scheduled to consider government resolutions submitted under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution.
Published in Dawn, October 15th, 2026
