QUETTA: Balochistan Assembly members have disagreed over emergency rule and the possibility of imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with opposition leader Dr Abdul Malik Baloch warning that the move could strain national unity.
Baloch, a former Balochistan chief minister and National Party leader, called for the restoration of KP’s elected government. He said the Constitution must be viewed not only through its emergency provisions—Articles 232 and 234—but also Article 1, which establishes Pakistan as a federation.
“We are happy with democracy in name only,” he said, cautioning that action against KP’s provincial government could deepen alienation. He linked the province’s ongoing insecurity to the Afghan Taliban’s return to power and urged authorities to proceed carefully, saying past periods of emergency and governor’s rule had brought hardship and economic difficulties. JUI-F, which also sits in opposition in the assembly, has tabled resolutions against the proposed measures.
Government members backed the move, arguing that the security situation warranted exceptional steps. Mir Zahoor Buledi said the Constitution’s emergency provisions were intended for extraordinary circumstances. He claimed six KP districts had become no-go areas and accused the provincial government of failing to work with security forces against terrorism.
Provincial minister Mir Saleem Khosa also said the measures were necessary, alleging that the KP government was not cooperating with the armed forces, police or civilian administration.
Prince Agha Umar Ahmedzai said similar action could be considered in Balochistan if needed to protect the state, while noting that the circumstances in the two provinces were not the same.
