DLP Report
PESHAWAR
The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has strongly condemned the imposition of Governor’s Rule and emergency in the province, marking one month of the measures, and demanded their immediate withdrawal and restoration of the elected provincial government.
In a statement issued by the PTI provincial secretariat, general secretary and MNA Ali Asghar Khan described the removal of a government enjoying a two-thirds majority as an attack on the public mandate and the Constitution. He alleged that counterterrorism had been used as a pretext to undermine the democratic mandate.
He said the crackdown had started in mid-September with attacks, abductions and alleged enforced disappearances of provincial ministers and MPAs. According to him, three weeks later, the failure of negotiations was used as a pretext to implement a plan that had already been prepared.
The statement alleged that on October 11, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, provincial president Junaid Akbar and other leaders were taken into custody from their official residences. It further claimed that hundreds of party leaders and workers were arrested or abducted, while thousands of houses were raided.
The PTI also alleged that police firing on peaceful protesters in Bara, Khyber, in October left one party worker dead and several others injured.
The party said raids on houses, damage to property, harassment of families and alleged mistreatment of women had continued. It demanded the recovery and release of all missing persons, an end to illegal arrests and harassment, and accountability for those responsible.
Ali Asghar Khan said the people of KP were being pushed towards further isolation and alienation at a time when the province needed stability and economic support. He said terrorism, unrest and economic deprivation had already placed a heavy burden on the population, while inflation, unemployment and the closure of trade routes had further aggravated public difficulties.
He also claimed that the federal government owed more than Rs4,700 billion in outstanding dues, which could provide significant economic relief to the province.
The PTI further alleged that counterterrorism operations were being conducted on federal instructions without the consent and meaningful consultation of the provincial government. It said the provincial administration had been spending billions of rupees on the police, Counter Terrorism Department and assistance to displaced persons without receiving adequate federal support.
Referring to the Aman Jirga held on November 12, 2025, the party said political parties and civil society representatives had agreed on a framework for restoring peace under the leadership of the police and CTD, ending the general deployment of the army, protecting citizens’ rights, safeguarding detainees and ensuring payment of federal dues.
The party urged the judiciary to protect fundamental rights, ensure compliance with court orders and take notice of alleged enforced disappearances, illegal detention and other rights violations.
It added that consultations were under way with political parties and civil society organisations to convene an All Parties Conference to formulate a joint peaceful political, parliamentary, legal and public response. The party reiterated its constitutional right to hold peaceful protests.
