Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has said that the federal government is not considering imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, calling it a last resort.
Speaking to a private news channel, Tarar was first asked about PML-N leader Arbab Khizer Hayat’s letter to Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, in which he called for the immediate imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Responding to the question, Tarar said, “Governor’s rule is not being considered. Governor’s rule is the last option, and at the moment no such consideration is underway.”
Hayat had written to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif seeking the immediate imposition of governor’s rule in the province.
Tarar also said the government will stop Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protesters from reaching Islamabad.
Governor’s rule refers to the imposition of direct federal control over a province through the governor under constitutional provisions.
The remarks came as the federal government continued to warn PTI against its proposed September 27 march towards Islamabad.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday said the government will use all available legal options to respond to the planned protest, while ruling out the possibility of PTI being allowed to “come to Islamabad and shut down the city for ten days”.
Naqvi also said the government will implement an Islamabad High Court order issued on September 14, which stated that no political party or its leadership had the lawful right to occupy public roads, highways, interchanges, toll plazas and buildings in Islamabad.
Later, speaking to the media in Kohat, Tarar reiterated the government’s position that no violent group would be allowed to enter Islamabad.
He accused PTI protesters of damaging state property during previous demonstrations and said peaceful protesters did not leave their homes armed with sticks, nails, glass or slingshots.
