NA Tables Resolution on KP Governor's Rule as Dar Promises Assembly Return in Six Months

Resolution on KP governor's rule tabled in National Assembly

The federal government on Wednesday tabled a resolution in the National Assembly seeking parliamentary approval of President Asif Ali Zardari's proclamation of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Article 232 of the Constitution.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry presented the resolution before the House. The development came after the federal government imposed emergency and governor's rule in the province on October 11, suspending the PTI-led provincial administration.

The government has defended the move by pointing to a worsening law and order situation. It says the provincial administration failed to coordinate counter-terrorism efforts with federal authorities.

The National Assembly resumed its session at Parliament House in Islamabad with Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in the chair. The House approved a motion to suspend Question Hour by a majority vote so it could take up the presidential proclamation.

Tariq Fazal Chaudhry also moved a separate motion for the suspension of Question Hour. Opposition lawmakers opposed it, but it was adopted by a majority vote.

The Express Tribune reported that Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar opened the debate on the motion. Speaking on the floor of the House, he said presenting the proclamation before parliament and obtaining its approval was a constitutional requirement.

The Senate is also meeting to take up a similar resolution. A joint session of parliament has been scheduled for Thursday to ratify the imposition of emergency and governor's rule in the province.

Government defends emergency under Article 232

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar strongly defended the imposition of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the National Assembly debate. He cited internal unrest and cross-border infiltration as the main reasons.

Tarar said the Constitution required the presidential proclamation to be laid before both houses of parliament. The National Assembly and the Senate must approve it within ten days of its issuance.

He said the federal cabinet held a two-and-a-half-hour discussion before recommending the emergency measures to the prime minister. The decision followed a thorough assessment of the security situation in the province.

Tarar stated that 3,787 terrorist incidents had been recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the past year. He regretted that the provincial government was focusing on political activities instead of security challenges.

The minister accused the former provincial government of failing to take the growing threat of terrorism seriously. He alleged that its approach towards combating terrorism had been inadequate.

He also criticised non-functional chief minister Sohail Afridi. Tarar accused him of prioritising his political interests over efforts to tackle terrorism in the province.

The minister further alleged that Afridi had disregarded the sacrifices of security personnel and civilians who lost their lives in terrorist attacks. He said the KP governor had complained that the provincial government's attention was directed more towards politics than counterterrorism.

According to Tarar, the governor conveyed the situation to both the president and the prime minister through a letter. The letter became part of the justification for the federal action.

Ishaq Dar sets six-month timeline for KP governor's rule review

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told the Senate on Tuesday that the provincial assembly would be restored after six months. He said the measures taken in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were in accordance with the Constitution and the law.

Dar said the return of the provincial government could take one to two years. The timeline, he said, would depend on when conditions on the ground improved.

He made it clear that the time for political reconciliation with PTI had passed. He urged the party to work with the federal government to tackle terrorism in the province.

Speaking as Leader of the House, Dar said PTI's refusal to replace Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi led to the dismissal of the provincial government. He said the cabinet had set four conditions for the PTI leadership to avert the emergency.

The first condition was replacing CM Afridi. The second was that PTI condemn terrorism and terrorist acts.

The third condition sought full cooperation from the KP government in the Centre's fight against terrorism. The fourth was agreement to the imposition of emergency in 12 districts of the province.

The Nation reported that Dar questioned how the provincial government had spent funds allocated to KP under the National Finance Commission award. He said the province had received around Rs800 billion under the arrangement.

Bilawal, Naqvi speak as parliament moves toward joint session

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Wednesday blamed the PTI's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for the circumstances that led to the emergency. He termed it a political suicide attack by PTI on its own government.

Dawn reported that Bilawal made the remarks while addressing the National Assembly. The House is discussing the Centre's measures, which were justified on the provincial government's deliberate disengagement from the fight against terrorism.

Bilawal said the emergency and governor's rule were measures taken under the Constitution. He maintained that PTI could not deny that its leadership had a key role in the political, constitutional and legal circumstances present.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told the Senate on Tuesday that negotiations with PTI had nearly resulted in an agreement. He said the government had made efforts to reach a deal before imposing governor's rule.

Naqvi said discussions on the first day focused entirely on terrorism, with no political issues raised. According to him, PTI leader Asad Qaiser assured the government that his party would support efforts against terrorism.

He said consultations involving Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Murad Saeed then derailed the process.

The Senate session began at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, where a resolution was also to be presented. Sources said Tariq Fazal Chaudhry would present the resolution in the Senate.

A joint session of parliament has been scheduled for Thursday. It will ratify the imposition of emergency and governor's rule in the province.

Meanwhile, the federal government has issued notifications giving complete powers to the interior ministry in KP. Section 144 has been imposed in Dera Ismail Khan until November 11.

Frequently asked questions

What is the KP governor's rule resolution about?

The resolution seeks the National Assembly's endorsement of President Asif Ali Zardari's proclamation of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Article 232. It also covers the imposition of governor's rule, which suspended the PTI-led provincial administration on October 11. Parliament must approve the proclamation within ten days for it to continue.

Who tabled the resolution in the National Assembly?

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry tabled the motion on Wednesday. He laid the presidential proclamation issued under Article 232 before the House. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar then opened the debate defending the government's decision.

When will the KP Assembly be restored?

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar told the Senate the provincial assembly would be restored after six months. He said the provincial government itself could take one to two years to return. The timeline depends on when conditions on the ground improve.

Why did the government impose emergency in KP?

The government cites internal disturbances, cross-border infiltration and the provincial government's alleged lack of seriousness in fighting terrorism. Law Minister Tarar said 3,787 terrorist incidents were recorded in KP over the past year. The government says the province failed to coordinate counter-terrorism efforts with federal authorities.

What happens next in parliament?

The Senate met on Wednesday afternoon to take up a similar resolution. A joint session of parliament is scheduled for Thursday to ratify the emergency and governor's rule. Approval from both houses within ten days is a constitutional requirement.