LONDON: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif has defended the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying the federal government should have taken the step earlier amid the province’s worsening law and order situation.
Speaking at a meeting in London, the former prime minister said conditions in KP had become increasingly concerning under the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) administration, arguing that timely intervention could have helped address the province’s security and governance challenges.
Nawaz accused the PTI of damaging the province during its nearly 13 years in power, alleging that successive provincial administrations had failed to provide effective governance and address public concerns.
He said the people of KP were patriotic Pakistanis who deserved better governance, adding that the PTI had not adequately fulfilled its responsibilities towards the province and its residents.
Taking aim at the party’s political strategy, Nawaz questioned the use of provincial government resources for political confrontations with the federal government.
He asked how a chief minister could use official resources to lead a march towards the federal capital and challenge the federation, arguing that deploying provincial resources for such purposes undermined responsible governance and relations between the centre and the provinces.
The PML-N president described the end of PTI’s provincial rule as a relief for KP, maintaining that the decision to impose emergency measures was justified under the prevailing circumstances.
His remarks follow President Asif Ali Zardari’s approval of emergency and governor’s rule in KP on October 11, on the recommendation of the federal cabinet led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The federal government cited the deteriorating security situation and alleged inadequate cooperation by the PTI-led provincial administration in combating terrorism as grounds for the intervention. Under the arrangement, executive authority was transferred to the governor, suspending the elected provincial government’s authority.
The PTI has rejected the move, calling it unconstitutional and politically motivated. The party has also challenged the decision in the Peshawar High Court, seeking the restoration of its elected government.
Nawaz reiterated that the intervention should have taken place sooner, given the situation in the province.
Discussing the country’s wider economic and political challenges, the former prime minister said the PML-N remained committed to Pakistan’s stability, development and prosperity.
He added that the federal and provincial governments were working to improve living standards and address public concerns, describing citizens’ welfare and national progress as key priorities for his party.
