Ishaq Dar Says Federal Government Has No Option but to Impose Emergency in KP

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said the federal government has been left with no option but to impose an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, describing the proposed measure as a difficult decision amid growing security concerns and the continuing threat of terrorism.

Addressing a seminar in Islamabad, Dar highlighted the economic and security challenges confronting Pakistan, arguing that repeated protests and sit-ins had caused significant damage to the national economy. His remarks placed the debate over emergency measures within the broader context of restoring stability, maintaining public order and addressing security threats in the province.

Dar identified terrorism as one of the most serious challenges facing Pakistan and the wider region, emphasising the country’s extensive sacrifices in confronting militant violence. He pointed to the prolonged economic costs of the conflict and referred to tragic incidents, including the Jaffar Express attack and the abduction and killing of workers in Balochistan, as examples of the human toll of insecurity.

The deputy prime minister said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government was pursuing a new strategy to eliminate terrorism, while law enforcement agencies continued operations against militant networks. He also highlighted Field Marshal Asim Munir’s commitment to counterterrorism, stating that operations against militants were being conducted daily on his instructions.

Dar linked Pakistan’s domestic security challenges to developments across its western border, urging Afghan authorities to prevent their territory from being used for attacks against Pakistan. He referred to the trilateral meeting involving Pakistan, China and Afghanistan in Kabul in August 2025, saying Afghan authorities had failed to honour their commitments concerning terrorism.

The foreign minister warned that the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups operating from Afghan territory posed a serious threat to regional peace. He said militants crossed the border to attack Pakistani security personnel and civilians, reinforcing Islamabad’s longstanding demand that Afghan authorities take effective action against groups targeting Pakistan.

Dar also highlighted Pakistan’s security measures along the Afghan border, including the installation of a security fence. He said Pakistan had extended substantial humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, arguing that Islamabad’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability should be recognised.

The remarks underline the federal government’s emphasis on security as a central consideration in its approach to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Any emergency measures would carry significant administrative and political implications for the province, making the legal basis, scope and implementation of such a decision important considerations.

Dar described the proposed emergency as a tough decision, but the supplied account did not specify a formal notification, implementation date or the precise constitutional mechanism under consideration. The government’s next steps would determine whether the statement translates into a formal policy action.