ISLAMABAD, Oct 14 (APP):Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar said on Wednesday that imposing an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was a last resort due to the worsening law and order situation and rising terrorist attacks. Speaking in the National Assembly during a discussion on the proclamation of emergency issued by the president for KP on October 11, 2026, the minister said the federal cabinet had recommended the …
Emergency imposed in KP due to worsening security situation: Azam Nazeer Tarar
ISLAMABAD, Oct 14 (APP):Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar said on Wednesday that imposing an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was a last resort due to the worsening law and order situation and rising terrorist attacks.
Speaking in the National Assembly during a discussion on the proclamation of emergency issued by the president for KP on October 11, 2026, the minister said the federal cabinet had recommended the move after nearly two-and-a-half hours of deliberations and a detailed review of the available evidence.
He said the decision was aimed at protecting the lives and property of citizens and addressing growing security challenges in the province.
Tarar said Article 232 of the Constitution dealt with emergencies arising from internal disturbances and external aggression, while Article 234 covered situations in which a provincial government could not function in accordance with the Constitution.
He said the cabinet had reviewed reports from various security agencies, focusing on the rising number of terrorist attacks, casualties and injuries.
The minister said the constitutional provisions had been invoked only after examining the available evidence and considering other possible measures.
He added that administrative responsibility for provincial affairs had been assigned to the governor following the proclamation. Similar constitutional provisions had been invoked in the past, he said, adding that related matters had also been examined by the courts.
Tarar said the matter had been placed before Parliament in line with the constitutional procedure, which requires an emergency proclamation to be presented to both houses for approval within the prescribed period.
Giving figures on terrorism, the minister said 2,911 incidents had been reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa between 2021 and 2024. Another 3,787 incidents were recorded between October 15, 2025, and October 9, 2026.
He said the number of incidents reported during the latter period was higher than the combined total recorded over the preceding three years, underlining the seriousness of the security situation.
Tarar stressed the need for the federal and provincial governments to work together to combat terrorism.
He paid tribute to the armed forces, police, security personnel, religious scholars and civilians who had sacrificed their lives in the fight against terrorism. National unity was essential to defeating the menace, he added.
The minister criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led provincial government, saying it had given greater priority to political activities than to tackling security challenges.
He said the provincial leadership should have visited areas affected by terrorist attacks, met the families of victims, visited the injured and prepared a comprehensive action plan in coordination with security institutions.
Tarar said a provincial chief executive had a responsibility to lead during a security crisis, hold regular meetings, ensure effective planning and implement measures to protect citizens.
Referring to announcements about marches towards Islamabad, he said the federal government had preferred dialogue and political engagement over the use of force.
He thanked National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq for providing a platform for negotiations at the request of the president and the prime minister.
According to Tarar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Advisor to Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah and Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir Affairs Engr Amir Muqam represented the government in the talks.
Pakistan Peoples Party representatives, including Syed Naveed Qamar and Senator Sherry Rehman, also took part. The opposition delegation was led by PTI chairman Barrister Ali Gohar and Senate opposition leader Allama Nasir Abbas, he said.
Tarar said the talks continued through several rounds, during which the participants discussed different drafts.
However, the negotiations failed to make the desired progress on counterterrorism measures, as issues concerning meetings with incarcerated political leaders and other facilities also came up for discussion.
Explaining the legal position, the minister said matters relating to arrests, acquittals, trials and sentences had to be handled under the law and through the relevant judicial procedures.
He said the executive could not take the place of the courts in matters falling within their jurisdiction.
However, Article 45 of the Constitution empowered the president to grant a pardon, reprieve or remission of punishment in accordance with the law, he added.
The law minister urged political parties to set aside their differences and unite against terrorism. He said national security and the protection of citizens must take precedence over political considerations.
Referring to previous efforts at political reconciliation, Tarar said dialogue and compromise were essential to democratic politics. Political parties should learn from past experiences and continue efforts to resolve disputes through negotiations, he added.
He said public office-holders were required to remain loyal to the state, uphold the Constitution and place national interests above personal and political considerations.
Tarar said the government aimed to improve law and order, protect citizens and strengthen the response to terrorism.
He stressed that coordinated efforts and political consensus were essential to addressing the security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
