Pakistan authorises army deployment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Pakistan's federal government authorised army troops and equipment to assist civilian authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on October 11, following the declaration of emergency and governor's rule.

The Interior Ministry's order invoked Article 245 of the Constitution. It tasked the military with protecting citizens' lives and property and securing government installations in the province.

The authorisation remains valid for the duration of the emergency proclamation. Governor Faisal Karim Kundi will determine the necessary troop numbers and equipment in consultation with the Military Operations Directorate at army headquarters in Rawalpindi.

The separate emergency measures were approved by President Asif Ali Zardari following recommendations from the federal cabinet. They were issued under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution.

The decision followed tensions between the federal government and the province's administration, led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Their disagreements include counterterrorism policy, a central issue in the breakdown of talks on October 3.

PTI has argued it was excluded from security decisions, an allegation the federal government denies. The party opposes military operations and seeks a review of counterterrorism policy.