PTI Challenges KP Governor’s Rule, Emergency in Peshawer High Court
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said the party had filed a petition challenging the measures and requested an early hearing.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has challenged the imposition of Governor’s Rule and a state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa before the Peshawar High Court, accusing the federal government of dismantling a democratically elected provincial administration.
The federal government imposed a state of emergency and Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on October 11, 2026, citing the deteriorating security situation and the provincial government’s alleged lack of cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said the party had filed a petition challenging the measures and requested an early hearing.
He expressed hope that the court would restore the democratic government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, maintaining that PTI would continue its constitutional and legal struggle.
Speaking during a session of the National Assembly, Barrister Gohar strongly criticised the federal government’s decision, accusing it of undermining democracy.
“You have sent an elected government home. We reject all your notifications. You have attacked democracy,” he said.
The PTI chairman alleged that the government had used terrorism as a justification for imposing emergency measures in the province.
He argued that the decision had paralysed the country and questioned the circumstances surrounding the imposition of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Barrister Gohar maintained that terrorism should not be tolerated anywhere in Pakistan and that terrorists must not be allowed safe havens.
He also accused India of supporting the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), linking the terrorist organisation to Indian involvement.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif defended the federal government’s decision during his address to the National Assembly, citing the provincial government’s position on counterterrorism as a key reason for imposing the emergency.
Asif said a draft agreement had been signed during negotiations, but the final decision-making authority rested with an individual who remained in hiding.
“A draft was signed during negotiations, but the veto power rested with an absconder,” the defence minister said.
He further alleged that an individual sitting in Afghanistan was effectively running the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
“If someone sitting in Afghanistan is running the KP government, then this is what happens,” Asif remarked.
The defence minister also challenged PTI’s assertions regarding access to its imprisoned founder, claiming that meetings were taking place but were not being made public.
The developments highlight the widening confrontation between the federal government and PTI over the imposition of Governor’s Rule and emergency measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with the dispute now reaching the Peshawar High Court.
