ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s federal government has authorised the deployment of army troops in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) following the imposition of emergency and Governor’s Rule in the province, citing the need to protect lives, property and government installations.
The authorisation was issued by the Ministry of Interior through a Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO), invoking the powers conferred on the federal government under Article 245 of the Constitution.
According to the notification, the deployment was authorised to ensure the “safety of life, security of persons and property of citizens as well as security of government installations” across the province.
The authorisation will remain in force for the duration of the proclamation issued in connection with the imposition of the emergency and governor’s rule.
The notification stated that KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, in consultation with the Military Operations Directorate at General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi, would determine the number of troops and assets required for the deployment.
The development came following the imposition of emergency measures and Governor’s Rule in the province.
The imposition of emergency and governor’s rule came amid growing concerns within the federal government over the deteriorating security situation in KP and what the Centre described as shortcomings in the provincial government’s approach to counter-terrorism.
The Centre has criticised the provincial government’s handling of the security challenge, particularly its opposition to military operations and its position on dialogue with the Afghan Taliban. It maintains that an effective and coordinated strategy is essential to combat terrorism and restore the state’s writ.
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Following the imposition of the emergency, security was tightened across the province, with large numbers of police personnel deployed around Governor House and other key government installations.
Police and other law enforcement personnel patrolled roads leading to Governor House, the Central Police Office, Peshawar Police Headquarters and other installations in the Red Zone.
The area houses several important government and security facilities, including the Corps Commander’s House, the Civil Secretariat, the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, the Chief Minister’s House and Governor House.
No major protests were reported from any part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa against the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule, while reports of public celebrations emerged from some areas of the province, where people were said to have distributed sweets.
