A major step has been taken amid political tensions in Pakistan. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan has declared emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The emergency, imposed on Sunday under two articles of the constitution, could affect the rights of the PTI government in the province. The decision comes at a time when the party is gearing up to march towards Islamabad demanding the release of Imran Khan.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said through a social media post that he has approved the Cabinet’s recommendations. Earlier, a cabinet meeting was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the meeting reviewed the security situation.

Why was this decision taken?

The government has alleged that the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is deliberately retreating from the fight against terrorism. Based on that, it was decided to impose emergency. However, the President’s Office has not clarified how the administration of the province will be run after the emergency.

The Constitution of Pakistan allows the federal government to take over some or all of the functions of the provincial government during an emergency. In such a situation, this decision may affect the powers of Imran Khan’s party in the provincial government.

Shortly after the emergency was declared, PTI MP Junaid Akbar claimed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had been arrested in the province along with the party president. However, this claim has not been independently confirmed.

Preparations for the march for the release of Imran Khan

PTI is preparing to march towards Islamabad demanding the release of its leader Imran Khan. Imran Khan has been in jail for more than three years. The party’s march was earlier scheduled to take place on September 27, but was postponed to October 4 for talks between the government and the PTI leadership.

The Pakistani government has made it clear that it will not allow protesters to enter the capital. For this, obstacles have been created by placing shipping containers on the main roads of Islamabad.

According to Reuters, PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari criticized the emergency decision. He said this could lead to more bloodshed, instability and loss. He said that there is scope for dialogue, but the government’s decision seems to indicate that it does not want to talk.