Pakistan imposes emergency and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

President Asif Ali Zardari approved emergency measures and governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on October 11 following a recommendation from Pakistan's federal cabinet.

Earlier in the day, the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sent the proposal to the president. The subsequent approval was confirmed by the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan and Pakistani news outlets.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the measures were introduced under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution. Radio Pakistan reported that an 11-member advisory council had been formed to run the province's affairs.

Federal authorities cited worsening security and disagreements with the provincial government over counterterrorism policy. Those explanations represent the central government's position, rather than an independently established assessment of the provincial administration's conduct.

The province had been governed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The decision places administration under the governor amid the party's confrontation with Sharif's government.

At the cabinet meeting, Sharif also said he hoped Pakistan would secure a $1.2 billion International Monetary Fund tranche before the end of the year. He linked his criticism of the provincial authorities to protecting economic stabilisation. His remarks described an expected payment, rather than funds already received.