President Zardari makes history with third Governor’s Rule proclamation

President Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan’s first civilian president to serve two terms, has signed proclamations imposing governor’s rule in three of the country’s four provinces during his tenures, in 2009, 2013 and 2026.

In a striking political reversal, Zardari’s latest move comes as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who once strongly opposed the imposition of governor’s rule in Punjab, now heads a federal cabinet that has approved a similar measure for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

In 2009, Zardari signed a proclamation imposing governor’s rule in Punjab after the court disqualified Shehbaz Sharif, who was then serving as chief minister.

The decision triggered a strong reaction from Shehbaz and his elder brother, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, who led a long march demanding the restoration of the judiciary and the lifting of governor’s rule in the province.

Seventeen years later, the political landscape has changed considerably. Shehbaz is now prime minister, and his federal government has approved the imposition of governor’s rule in KP. The latest development places the two leaders, who were once on opposing sides of the issue, on the same page over the measure.

Zardari’s second such move came in January 2013, when he imposed governor’s rule in Balochistan following deadly attacks on members of the Hazara community, which sparked widespread protests and demands for the removal of the provincial government led by then chief minister Aslam Raisani.

The decision followed a visit to Quetta by then prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, who held talks with the bereaved families.

Governor’s rule subsequently removed Raisani’s government from power. The arrangement was withdrawn shortly before the 2013 general election, paving the way for the restoration of the provincial government.

Now, in 2026, Zardari has signed the summary for imposing governor’s rule in KP, a move that would prevent the province’s elected chief minister from continuing to lead the provincial administration.

The latest decision has also raised questions about the political and administrative arrangements that may follow. The Pakistan Peoples Party already has a senior party figure, Faisal Karim Kundi, serving as KP governor. Whether he will remain in office or be replaced by a nominee of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and how long governor’s rule will continue, remain subjects of debate in political circles.