ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has said the federal government may consider lifting emergency measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa if the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) fulfils its constitutional and legal obligations.
“Even now, if the PTI fulfils its constitutional and legal role, the matter can be considered,” Sanaullah told reporters on Friday.
The federal government imposed emergency measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on October 11 after President Asif Ali Zardari approved the move on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution.
The government cited the worsening security situation and concerns over counterterrorism efforts as reasons for the decision. The PTI, which governs the province, has opposed the emergency measures and the possibility of governor’s rule.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has assumed responsibility for running provincial affairs on behalf of the federal government, with support from an 11-member technocratic KP Advisory Council.
Sanaullah said an interim administrative arrangement would not have been required had the PTI fulfilled its constitutional and legal responsibilities.
The adviser also expressed regret over the house arrest of the sisters of PTI founder Imran Khan, saying the government had been compelled to take the step to control the situation.
Referring to the party’s long march, Sanaullah said Khan’s sisters had made statements calling for an attack on the Governor’s House. He also criticised what he described as the PTI’s social media “mafia” over its statements.
He held the opposition responsible for the current political tensions and contrasted the conduct of former prime minister Imran Khan with that of incumbent Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
“When the PTI founder was prime minister, he did not even telephone the opposition leader,” Sanaullah said, adding that Shehbaz Sharif shook hands with the opposition leader whenever he attended the National Assembly.
Terrorism threatens Pakistan’s security, Sanaullah warns
Sanaullah warned that terrorism could threaten Pakistan’s very existence if the menace was not eliminated without delay.
He said India could no longer confront Pakistan in a conventional war and described Pakistan as a security provider in the region.
The adviser also alleged that India had established bases in Afghanistan and was financing terrorist activities.
He stressed that national unity and a coordinated counterterrorism strategy were essential, warning that Pakistan’s security could be endangered if the nation failed to unite and federal and provincial governments did not adopt a common policy.
Maryam Nawaz criticises PTI over political unrest
Separately, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz criticised the PTI, accusing the party of damaging people’s lives despite its claims of raising political awareness.
Addressing an event in Sahiwal on Friday, she said the PTI had brought about the end of its own government rather than being ousted by anyone else.
“This is the first long march that ended with the end of its own government,” Maryam said, describing the protest as an unprecedented political episode.
She also questioned the PTI’s approach towards intergovernmental relations, asking whether a provincial government had ever attacked another province or the federal government.
Comparing development in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Maryam said Punjab was moving towards artificial intelligence while KP remained far behind.
She added that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would now have an opportunity to understand what development meant.
