Tariq Fazal Chaudhry Says KP Emergency Imposed Over PTI’s Lack of Cooperation on Terrorism

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has defended the imposition of emergency measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying the decision followed a failure to secure cooperation from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on counterterrorism efforts.

Speaking at a news conference in Islamabad, Chaudhry said a presidential order imposed governor’s rule and an emergency in the province on October 11, with the measures subsequently approved by Parliament. He added that an 11-member advisory council was operating under the leadership of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor.

The minister said the federal government had sought agreement with PTI on a unified response to terrorism during negotiations. Effective coordination with the provincial government was essential to counter militant threats, he argued, adding that the government had decided to take emergency measures because of what he described as PTI’s rigid stance.

Chaudhry said security personnel continued to sacrifice their lives in the fight against terrorism and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminating militant violence across Pakistan.

He accused PTI of failing to condemn terrorism and said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had refused to cooperate with the federal government over its policy towards Afghanistan.

The minister also warned against links between militant groups and elements hostile to Pakistan. He said the government would seek to control cross-border infiltration from Afghanistan and eliminate networks involved in terrorist activity.

Chaudhry further accused India of supporting terrorism in Pakistan and said foreign elements were assisting the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). These allegations reflect the government’s position and were not independently substantiated during the news conference.

On the economy, the minister said the government had stabilised economic conditions and attracted investment. He acknowledged that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa faced significant challenges, arguing that the emergency measures had been taken in the interest of restoring peace and security.

The decision to impose emergency rule in the province places the relationship between the federal government and PTI-led provincial political leadership at the centre of the national security debate. The government maintains that coordinated action is necessary to address terrorism, while the political implications of the measures are likely to remain a point of contention.