PM says centre had no option but to impose emergency in KP to restore peace, development

ISLAMABAD, Oct 13 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said the government had been left with no option but to impose emergency and governor rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) after efforts to resolve the situation through dialogue failed, stressing that restoring peace, improving law and order and accelerating development in the province were its top priorities.

Addressing the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) parliamentary party meeting here, the prime minister said the decision had been taken after consultations with allied parties and in view of the deteriorating security situation and the need to protect the country’s development trajectory.

He said the government had made sustained efforts to engage the provincial leadership in dialogue and offered

cooperation to address terrorism and promote development. However, those efforts did not produce an agreement, leaving the federal government with no alternative but to proceed with the decision, he added.

“It’s now or never,” the prime minister recalled telling the federal cabinet while explaining the urgency of the situation.

He said the cabinet meeting, held detailed discussions before reaching the decision.

The prime minister said an advisory council has been constituted comprising experts and professionals to help improve governance and address the province’s pressing challenges.

He said the council included professionals from different fields, including health, education and finance, who would contribute to improving public services and supporting development initiatives.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the foremost objective was to restore peace and eliminate terrorism, while strengthening the police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), improving their capacity and establishing Safe City projects.

He said the people of KP had made immense sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and deserved peace, security and better access to essential services.

Recalling the sacrifices made by security personnel and civilians, he said terrorism had been largely eliminated from the country by 2018 through sustained efforts, particularly in KP, where people from all walks of life had suffered significant losses.

He expressed concern over the resurgence of terrorist activities in the province, saying police personnel and members of the armed forces continued to lose their lives, while incidents of abduction and attacks had added to the insecurity.

The prime minister said the federal government had repeatedly offered cooperation to successive provincial chief ministers to jointly combat terrorism and advance economic development.

He regretted that, instead of focusing on strengthening law enforcement institutions and supporting counterterrorism efforts, political activities and protests had taken precedence.

He also criticised the use of long marches and sit-ins, saying such activities threatened the country’s economic progress at a time when Pakistan was working to improve its economic indicators, reduce poverty and create employment opportunities.

Referring to his recent engagements with international financial institutions and business representatives abroad, the prime minister said he had received positive feedback on Pakistan’s economic reforms and prospects. He maintained that sustained progress would require peace and stability across the country.

He said the people of KP had long sought improvements in education, healthcare, infrastructure and other public services, adding that the government intended to focus on these needs alongside restoring law and order.

The prime minister emphasised that the measures were aimed at serving the people of the province and restoring their confidence through effective governance, development projects and improved security.

He expressed hope that, with collective efforts and the support of the people, KP would regain peace and move towards greater development and prosperity.