ISLAMABAD: Both houses of Pakistan’s Parliament, the National Assembly and the Senate, on Wednesday adopted separate resolutions approving the proclamation of emergency issued by President Asif Ali Zardari in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on October 11.
The National Assembly adopted a resolution approving the proclamation of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The resolution was moved by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhary in the lower house of the country’s Parliament.
The House adopted the following resolution moved by Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs. “The National Assembly approves the Proclamation of Emergency issued by the President on the 11th October, 2026 in the Province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under second proviso of clause (1) of Article 232 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan” #NASession @AyazSadiq122 @DrTariqFazal
— National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) October 14, 2026
After the National Assembly passed the resolution, the Senate also gave its approval for the imposition of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Federal Government had imposed governor’s rule and emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday over the provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement” from the fight against terrorism.
Taking the National Assembly floor, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said presenting the Proclamation of Emergency resolution before the House and obtaining its approval is a constitutional requirement.
The Law Minister emphasised that the decision to impose emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was necessitated by the internal disturbances in the province and the provincial government’s lack of seriousness in dealing with terrorism.
Azam Nazeer Tarar mentioned that 3787 terrorist incidents have been recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the past year.
He regretted that, instead of focusing on security challenges, the provincial government was prioritising political activities.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also attended the National Assembly session, with pictures released by the NA showing him shaking hands with Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai.
The Law Minister said the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi, was also complaining that the focus of the provincial government is not on counterterrorism, but on politics.
He said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor had apprised both the President and the Prime Minister of the situation in the province through a letter.
Azam Nazeer Tarar said the constitutional option of emergency has been exercised as a last resort, following thorough deliberations, to protect the lives and property of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
At one point during the proceedings, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq noted that the October 3 dialogue was held in a cordial atmosphere. Sadiq praised both sides for “attempting more than their capacity so that the matter is settled”.
اسپیکر قومی اسمبلی سردار ایاز صادق نے گزشتہ دنوں حکومت اور اپوزیشن کے درمیان مذاکراتی عمل میں شامل حکومت اور اپوزیشن اراکین کے کردار کو سراہا۔ #NASession @AyazSadiq122 https://t.co/2tfygpdsXq
— National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) October 14, 2026
In his remarks, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said there was no choice but to impose an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to rising incidents of terrorism there. He reaffirmed the government’s firm resolve to combat terrorism with full force.
Farooq Sattar said that the imposition of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had become inevitable in view of the province’s security situation.
Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said emergency has been imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa out of necessity after the provincial government failed to provide assurances regarding counterterrorism efforts.
Ahsan Iqbal said the country requires continuity of policies and stability to take it forward on the path of economic development. He said nobody will be allowed to impede this process.
Taking the floor, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the government tried its level best to avoid the imposition of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He said the leadership of PTI in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is responsible for the emergency in the province.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the worst affected by terrorism and they had to take this difficult but constitutional decision.
Bilawal said an all-of-society and country approach is required to eradicate the menace of terrorism.
The PPP Chairman said the opposition should act responsibly and play its role in the fight against terrorism, emphasising the need for consensus on some fundamental issues.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly will now meet on Friday at 11:00 am.
