Haseeb Khan: National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai has questioned the federal government’s decision to impose governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), arguing that Balochistan faces serious security challenges but has not been subjected to similar measures.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament House on Monday, Achakzai alleged that the federal government was treating the two provinces differently for political reasons. He claimed that the state’s writ was absent in large parts of Balochistan and questioned why the provincial government there had not faced comparable intervention.
The federal government imposed governor’s rule and approved emergency measures in 12 districts of KP on October 11, citing what it described as the provincial government’s lack of cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.
Senate Opposition Leader Raja Nasir Abbas also questioned the decision, saying that if deteriorating law and order justified emergency measures, the government should explain why similar action had not been taken in Balochistan.
Both provinces have faced terrorist attacks. According to data compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), Pakistan recorded 199 terrorist attacks in August, including 54 in KP, excluding the former tribal districts, and 89 in Balochistan.
Achakzai described the federal government’s move as an attack on constitutional democracy and called on political parties to launch a peaceful campaign against it. He said opposition parties would be encouraged to begin coordinated protests from Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan announced that the party would challenge the imposition of governor’s rule in the Peshawar High Court on October 13. He said PTI would also discuss its parliamentary protest strategy.
The political dispute follows escalating tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led administration in KP. The party has rejected the federal intervention and demanded the restoration of the elected provincial government.
Achakzai also defended suspended KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s demand for access to imprisoned former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan, including access to medical treatment.
PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram accused the ruling coalition of undermining provincial autonomy and democratic representation. Referring to past instances of governor’s rule in Balochistan, Punjab and the former North-West Frontier Province, he questioned the democratic credentials of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Peoples Party.
Akram said PTI would pursue legal and parliamentary remedies and continue peaceful protests, demanding the withdrawal of governor’s rule and restoration of the elected government in KP.
The controversy has intensified debate over provincial autonomy, constitutional authority and Pakistan’s counterterrorism policy, with opposition leaders calling for a coordinated national response to security challenges rather than political confrontation.
