'Now or Never': Federal govt imposes governor's rule, emergency in KP

President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday approved the federal cabinet's summary regarding the proclamation of an emergency and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as measures to combat terrorism and address the deteriorating law and order situation in the province.

The measures were approved under Articles 232 and 234 of Pakistan's Constitution. The decision was taken following the failure of talks between the federal government and PTI, involving KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. 

Earlier, addressing the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif criticised the KP government over its “inaction and failure" to fight against terorrism, saying it was a “now or never” moment.

He also accused PTI of planning an attack on the federal capital, referred to past protests in Islamabad and criticised the party for not condemning terrrism, adding to his criticism of the language used by its leadership against the state and its institutions.

What do Articles 232 and 234 state?

Article 232 of Pakistan's Constitution deals with the proclamation of an emergency when the security of Pakistan, or any part of it, is threatened by war, external aggression or internal disturbance beyond the power of a provincial government to control. It establishes the constitutional framework for emergency powers and their implications for federal-provincial relations.

Article 234 addresses a situation in which the President is satisfied, on receiving a report from a provincial governor or otherwise, that the provincial government cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution. It empowers the President to issue a proclamation, subject to constitutional requirements, to assume certain provincial functions and powers.