ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s National Assembly on Wednesday voted by majority to endorse the federal government’s declaration of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, throwing its weight behind a presidential proclamation issued under Article 232 of the Constitution.
The resolution was moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and concerned the proclamation signed on October 11. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar opened the debate, telling the House that the measure responds to internal disturbances in the province and what he described as the provincial administration’s insufficient focus on countering terrorism.
Tarar informed lawmakers that 3,787 terrorism-related incidents had been recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the preceding twelve months. The House set aside its scheduled question hour to prioritise discussion of the motion.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari supported the resolution, holding the PTI-led provincial government responsible for the situation. He characterised the province’s ruling party as having carried out what he termed a “political suicide attack” on its own administration. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended part of the sitting.
Opposition members took part in the proceedings in a measured manner, in contrast to the disorder seen in earlier sessions.
Under Article 232, the emergency proclamation must now secure the Senate’s approval within ten days. Separately, a governor’s rule proclamation issued under Article 234 is required to be placed before a joint sitting of Parliament within two months. The PTI has challenged both measures before the Peshawar High Court.
The federal government imposed the measures on Sunday, attributing the decision to what it called the provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement” from the fight against terrorism.
