Pakistan’s parliament approves Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration under governor, PTI suspends talks with government

Pakistan’s parliament has approved a bill to declare a state of emergency and establish a governor’s administration in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The federal government has cited the state administration’s inability to contain armed attacks and provide security as the reason for the decision.

In contrast opposition MPs, especially members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have warned that ousting the elected state government could exacerbate the political crisis.

Mahmood Khan Achakzai, leader of the “Movement to Protect the Constitution” coalition, has called the move illegal and warned that tensions may spread to the provinces of Balochistan and Punjab. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has also called for an end to the state of emergency and the resumption of talks.

At the same time, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Gauhar Ali Khan criticized the emergency measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, accusing the government of trying to politically eliminate the party, and considered negotiations with the government to be fruitless.

The “Constitution Protection Movement” coalition led by Mahmood Khan Achakzai has also announced that it will not resume negotiations with the central government until the government agrees to allow opposition leaders to meet with Imran Khan in prison.