Pakistan suspends PTI-led provincial government as Khan supporters march
publishers 39articles 53first reported 4 Oct, 06:45 UTCdeveloping since 4 Oct · 16 editions
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari suspended the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and declared a state of emergency on Sunday as supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan mobilised to demand his release.
Zardari acted on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after a federal cabinet decision, according to statements from the president’s and prime minister’s offices. Sharif’s government said the provincial administration, led by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, had failed to combat Islamist militancy. The president’s office did not specify how the province would be administered. Pakistan’s constitution allows federal authorities to assume some or all provincial functions during an emergency.
The decision came as thousands of Khan supporters began marching from Lakki Marwat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following failed talks between the PTI and the federal government. The party is demanding Khan’s release, access for its leaders to consult him and medical treatment amid family claims that his health and eyesight have deteriorated in prison. Authorities barricaded routes into Islamabad, while government officials said marchers would not be allowed to enter the capital.
PTI spokesman Zulfikar Bukhari condemned the suspension as a “ridiculous decision” and warned it could lead to further violence and instability.
Khan, who served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, has been imprisoned since August 2023 and faces numerous cases, including corruption-related charges. He says the cases are politically motivated; the government denies targeting him for political reasons.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 5 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 168 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
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- Source articles
- 53
- Given to the writer
- 8, 5 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 168 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
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- none
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