ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan rejected the imposition of an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Sunday and urged the federal government to reconsider its decision.
In a statement, Khan described the measure as a serious political mistake. He maintained that the province’s electoral mandate was a constitutional and legal right that authorities must respect. He argued that people in KP would reject measures that undermined their rights.
“Combating terrorism is only possible through national unity,” Khan said. He added that weakening provinces could not strengthen the federation.
He acknowledged agreement on the need to eliminate terrorism but opposed using that fight to justify suppressing public voices. Khan argued that weakening provincial autonomy could not establish peace.
Confrontation between the federal and provincial governments would not resolve Pakistan’s problems, according to the PTI chairman. He called for meaningful negotiations between the federal government and provincial leadership to address outstanding issues.
Read: Zardari Approves KP Governor’s Rule and State of Emergency
Khan maintained that upholding the Constitution, rather than using force, offered a way to resolve the country’s challenges.
He argued that the federal government could reverse the decision to impose an emergency within days. Reviewing a political decision should show wisdom in the national interest, not weakness, the PTI chairman said.
PTI would defend democratic rights at every constitutional forum, he pledged. Khan urged the federal government to set aside its ego, accept legitimate demands and respect public sentiment.
He warned that refusing to reconsider the decision could inflict further political and economic damage on the country.
