In a dramatic escalation of Pakistan's political crisis, the federal government has declared a state of emergency and imposed Governor's Rule in the northwest province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Sunday (October 11, 2026).
President Asif Ali Zardari approved the emergency proclamation following a recommendation by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during an emergency meeting of the federal cabinet. Citing severe threats to national security and economic stability, the cabinet advised the President to exercise his constitutional powers under Articles 232 and 233 of the Constitution of Pakistan.
The move effectively deposes the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) provincial government headed by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. PTI had been leading a long march toward Islamabad since October 5 demanding the immediate release of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been in custody since mid-2023. Under the state of emergency, political gatherings and rallies have been banned across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and specific fundamental rights remain suspended as administrative and law enforcement control shifts directly to the Governor.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by International Desk • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
