Pakistan imposes emergency rule in Imran Khan party stronghold
publishers 21articles 21first reported 11 Oct, 08:32 UTCdeveloping since 11 Oct · 9 editions
Pakistan imposed emergency rule in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday, suspending the provincial government led by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party amid accusations that it failed to curb Islamist militancy.
President Asif Ali Zardari issued the declaration on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif following a cabinet decision, the president’s office said. Under Pakistan’s constitution, the federal government can assume some or all provincial functions during an emergency. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the provincial governor would take charge with an advisory council for an initial six months, while the Interior Ministry said troops would be deployed.
The federal government and military accuse the PTI administration of failing to address increasing militant attacks in the province, which borders Afghanistan. PTI rejects the allegation and says Islamabad has withheld needed funding and equipment.
Police officials told AFP on Monday that 278 PTI members had been detained in the province since the emergency declaration. PTI said provincial chief minister Sohail Afridi had been arrested. An administrative official told AFP that Afridi was placed in “protective custody” at his official residence and later moved to an undisclosed location.
The declaration followed protests demanding Khan’s release from prison. PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari described the measure as “more of a coup disguised as emergency” and said it was intended to halt the protest. Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 and denies the charges against him.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 4 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 24 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 21
- Source articles
- 21
- Given to the writer
- 8, 4 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 24 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
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- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
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