Summary Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar defended the KP emergency in the National Assembly, citing 2,911 terrorist incidents from 2021 to 2024 and worsening security.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – he National Assembly has taken up a resolution seeking endorsement of the emergency imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar defended the federal government's decision, citing internal unrest and cross-border infiltration.
The National Assembly session, chaired by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, began 45 minutes behind schedule. Before the session, the speaker held consultations with coalition parties to finalise a strategy for securing endorsement of the emergency in the province. Members of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and other allied parties attended the meeting.
At the start of the session, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry requested the suspension of Question Hour, which was subsequently suspended. He then presented a resolution seeking endorsement of the emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Speaking in the house, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said some members had argued that the imposition of an emergency had resulted in the removal of an elected government. He said the decision was taken due to internal unrest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and cross-border infiltration, adding that the proposal was discussed for two and a half hours during a cabinet meeting before being put forward.
Tarar said the imposition of an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was fully in accordance with the Constitution of Pakistan. He said constitutional powers had been exercised to protect state security, unity and public welfare, adding that the Constitution provides a clear mechanism for dealing with different situations.
He identified the deteriorating law and order situation in the province as one of the main reasons behind the emergency, expressing concern over the increase in terrorist incidents.
The law minister said 2,911 terrorist incidents had occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa between 2021 and 2024. He said the federal government was concerned about the rising number of attacks and that extraordinary measures had become necessary to address the situation.
Tarar also criticised Sohail Afridi, alleging that he had ignored the sacrifices of security personnel and civilians who lost their lives in terrorist attacks. He said that instead of standing with terrorism victims, Afridi had embarked on visits and announced a march towards the federal capital rather than focusing on the province's security situation.
