ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided not to take immediate action to impose emergency or governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, informed sources.
Instead, the government has decided to give the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) another opportunity to reconsider its planned October 4 march and change its confrontational political strategy.
The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with key advisers and senior members of his team. The meeting discussed the worsening political and security situation in KP and PTI’s proposed march towards Islamabad.
According to sources, the options of emergency and governor’s rule were discussed, but no decision was taken to implement either measure at this stage.
The government will now wait to see whether PTI cancels its October 4 march and changes its political strategy.
Sources said the government is willing to give PTI a chance to reduce tensions and show that it is ready to move away from confrontational politics, including road blockades, disruption in Islamabad and an increasingly hostile narrative against state institutions.
If PTI responds positively and cancels the march, several issues involving the party and its leadership could later be addressed through political and administrative channels.
These issues may include better access to PTI founder Imran Khan, consideration of medical treatment or hospitalisation when medically required, and resolving matters related to his meetings with lawyers, family members and close relatives.
Sources said similar facilities could also be considered for Bushra Bibi, including arrangements for meetings with her family and legal team.
