Summary Imran Khan’s party contests governor’s rule before Peshawar High Court
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan’s parliament has endorsed the imposition of an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), with both the National Assembly and Senate approving resolutions amid protests by opposition lawmakers.
The upper house passed its resolution by a majority on Wednesday after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members chanted slogans and walked out in protest. The National Assembly had approved the measure earlier the same day following more than four hours of debate.
The developments have intensified the confrontation between the federal government and the PTI, which governed KP before the emergency measures were introduced. The party has challenged the imposition of governor’s rule and the emergency at the Peshawar High Court.
Parliament backs KP emergency
The Senate session began under the chairmanship of Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani, with Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhary presenting the resolution calling for an emergency in KP. Despite PTI’s protest, the resolution was passed by a majority vote.
Earlier, the National Assembly adopted a resolution moved by Chaudhary endorsing the presidential proclamation issued on October 11. It stated that the House approved the proclamation under the second proviso of Article 232(1) of the Constitution of Pakistan.
The House adopted the following resolution moved by Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs. "The National Assembly approves the Proclamation of Emergency issued by the President on the 11th October, 2026 in the Province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under second proviso of clause (1) of Article 232 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan" #NASession @AyazSadiq122 @DrTariqFazal
— National Assembly (@NAofPakistan) October 14, 2026
The lower house witnessed a heated debate involving treasury and opposition lawmakers before the resolution secured majority support. Opposition members protested and raised slogans against the government before the session was adjourned until 11am on Friday.
Security issue
The federal government announced emergency measures and governor’s rule in KP after a cabinet meeting, with President Asif Ali Zardari approving the move on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s advice.
Islamabad has cited a surge in militant attacks and concerns over the provincial administration’s handling of counterterrorism operations to justify its intervention. The government has invoked Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, which deal with emergency powers and situations in which a provincial government is considered unable to function in accordance with constitutional requirements.
PTI leaders have disputed the federal government’s allegations, arguing that security concerns are being used to weaken the party’s political position in the province. The emergency was imposed as PTI prepared a long march from KP to Islamabad to demand the release of its jailed founder, Imran Khan.
PTI challenges emergency
PTI has approached the Peshawar High Court to challenge the emergency and governor’s rule, setting the stage for a legal contest over the federal government’s intervention.
The parliamentary approvals come amid a wider dispute over security policy and authority between Islamabad and the former PTI-led provincial administration. The federal government has also approved an Area Development Secretariat to oversee governance, security and development in several southern and former tribal districts of KP, including Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Kurram and North Waziristan.
