President Asif Ali Zardari has imposed governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following a recommendation from the federal cabinet. The decision came after a report submitted by KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. The move transfers administrative powers from the elected provincial government to the governor.
This marks the fourth time governor’s rule has been imposed in the province’s history. The latest decision suspends the provincial government led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi. Governor Faisal Karim Kundi is expected to manage provincial affairs with the support of an interim cabinet.
The decision also includes an emergency declaration in 12 districts under Article 232 of the Constitution of Pakistan. The measure covers eight merged tribal districts and four other districts in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
History of Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The first instance of governor’s rule in the province dates back to 1975. At the time, former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s government imposed emergency measures following the assassination of Hayat Muhammad Khan Sherpao. Sherpao was killed in a bomb blast while delivering a speech at the University of Peshawar’s Department of History.
The incident was followed by a ban on the National Awami Party (NAP), arrests and the imposition of governor’s rule. These developments marked a significant period in the province’s political history.
The second instance occurred in 1994 during the government of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. The federal government took action against the provincial administration led by then-chief minister Pir Sabir Shah of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
The political crisis was accompanied by reports of provincial assembly members disappearing. A no-confidence motion was later moved against Pir Sabir Shah. This paved the way for Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao to form a new provincial government.
The third instance followed the 1999 military coup led by former president General Pervez Musharraf. The coup removed the PML-N government, and the province came under the governor’s control. Governor Mian Gul Aurangzeb was replaced by Lieutenant General (retd) Muhammad Shafiq, who received provincial administrative powers.
Later, Lieutenant General (retd) Syed Iftikhar Hussain was appointed governor. He administered the province with his own cabinet until the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) government took office in late 2002.
Emergency Declared in 12 Districts
The latest governor’s rule also brings emergency measures to 12 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Eight of these districts were formerly part of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). They include Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram, Orakzai, Bajaur, North Waziristan, Upper South Waziristan and Lower South Waziristan.
The remaining four districts are Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Bannu and Lakki Marwat. According to the announcement, the emergency will apply fully in the Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan divisions.
It will also apply partially in the Peshawar, Kohat and Malakand divisions. However, the Hazara and Mardan divisions will remain exempt from the emergency.
In other news read more about Federal Government Reportedly Moves to Impose Governor’s Rule
The latest development places Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under a special administrative arrangement for the fourth time. The implementation of governor’s rule and emergency measures will shape the province’s administration under the new arrangement.
