Tariq Fazal Chaudhry warns of possible emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Pakistani minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said on October 9 that federal authorities had completed deliberations on a possible emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, linking the option to provincial cooperation on counterterrorism.

Speaking on Geo News programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath, Chaudhry urged the provincial government to join federal authorities and law-enforcement agencies in counterterrorism efforts. He said an emergency was an alternative if that cooperation did not materialise.

The minister did not confirm reports of a decisive meeting on Saturday or set a date for using the measure. Addressing reports concerning the 12 districts most affected by terrorism, he said an emergency under Article 232 of the Constitution would apply to the whole province.

Chaudhry denied that the discussions were connected to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's protest march demanding Imran Khan's release. He said dialogue remained possible and mentioned a potential mediating role for Maulana Fazlur Rehman. His remarks set out the federal minister's position rather than announcing an emergency already in force.