Majority of federal cabinet members in favour of governor’s rule in KP: report

Following violent clashes amid Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) protest march in Islamabad, a majority of federal cabinet members have extended their support to the proposal of imposing Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

According to Article 232 of the Constitution of Pakistan, powers of the provincial chief executive can be transferred to the governor in an emergency situation, marking the imposition of Governor’s Rule under highly extreme circumstances.

The president of Pakistan issues the notification in this regard after he is satisfied that there are certain circumstances – such as internal disturbance or war-like situation – which are not under the control of the provincial administration.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan have submitted their opinions regarding the Governor’s Rule in KP, reports said Thursday.

The government, reports added, was of the view that KP itself created grounds for Governor’s Rule by “launching two attacks on the federal government” with the “help of provincial government’s employees and official machinery”.

The federal cabinet meeting focused solely on the imposition of Governor’s Rule, reports said and added that the final decision in this regard will be taken after consulting political allies. All stakeholders will also be taken into confidence.

It merits a mention that government’s allies in the province include the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Awami National Party (ANP) and Qaumi Watan Party (QWP).

Speculations regarding Governor’s Rule in KP come after PTI’s three-day long march on Islamabad, which ended with multiple casualties due to violent clashes with law enforcement.

KP Chief Minister (CM) Ali Amin Gandapur led the march along with former first lady and PTI founder Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi.

Separately, senior PTI leader and former KP minister Shaukat Yousafzai on Thursday blasted his party leadership over mismanagement of the Islamabad march.

He said that due to the party leadership's blunders, the hardships of incarcerated party founder Imran Khan were mounting.

“All the responsibility (for this) lied on the central leadership,” the PTI leader stated in a statement.

He asked that if the PTI founder gave instruction to hold the sit-in at Sangjani, then why it was ignored. "Strategy in politics is made by looking at the situation," he added.