Sharifs invoke security fears to defend KP move

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• PM Shehbaz insists govt was ‘compelled’ to impose emergency and governor’s rule • Says Centre exhausted dialogue before taking measures • Nawaz Sharif stresses decision should have been taken earlier • Accuses PTI of using provincial resources for confrontation LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sha­rif and PML-N President Nawaz Sharif on Saturday defended the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with the premier saying the federal government had been “compel­led” to take the step over security conce­rns and the elder Sharif arguing that the intervention should have come much earlier. The Centre imposed emergency and governor’s rule in KP on Oct 11, citing the provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement” from the fight against terrorism. The measures were endorsed by parliament this week amid opposition protests. On Saturday, Shehbaz Sharif visited the residence of Rashid Bashir Virk in Gujranwala to offer condolences over the death of his father, former MNA Mahmood Bashir Virk. After recalling the late PML-N lawmaker’s services, the prime minister said the Centre had made a “last attempt” to avoid imposing emergency, referring to rounds of talks held by a joint government-PPP delegation with the opposition. The second round of talks, held on Oct 3, lasted several hours but ended without a breakthrough. “They had talks with them (PTI) day and night, for 48 hours, and sat with the intention to settle matters from every aspect,” PM Shehbaz said, adding that a draft agreement had been prepared under which the PTI was to call off its protest march. The prime minister said he had held multiple meetings with Sohail Afridi, the KP chief minister whose role now stands non-functional, as well as with his predecessor Ali Amin Gandapur. “In every meeting, I tried my best to convey to him from the depths of my heart and with seriousness that KP is an extremely beautiful province and has very brave and honourable people, […] and I am always present in every way for their development and prosperity,” the premier said. PM Shehbaz said he had assured the KP government of the Centre’s support in jointly fighting terrorism and addressing security challenges in the province. He added that he had assured the chief minister that decisions regarding administration, resources and requirements would be made in consultation with the provincial government. “But, unfortunately, despite all these efforts, thousands of our law enforcement personnel, soldiers and officers of the armed forces were sacrificing their lives to defend the homeland,” he said. The prime minister said the federal government had made repeated efforts to address the situation but had instead faced “threats and long marches every other day”. The Oct 11 measures followed weeks of political tensions between the Centre and PTI, as well as negotiations aimed at bridging differences after the party announced a long march towards Islamabad to demand the release of its jailed founder, Imran Khan. Nawaz backs governor’s rule Meanwhile, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif on Saturday fully backed the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in KP, saying the measures should have been taken much earlier as the law and order situation deteriorated. Speaking to journalists at his residence in London, Mr Sharif said the situation in KP had become increasingly alarming under the PTI government and that the federal authorities should have intervened before matters worsened further. “This intervention was necessary to restore peace, improve governance and protect the interests of the people,” the former prime minister was quoted as saying by journalist Azhar Javed, who was present in the media talk. Mr Sharif also accused the PTI of using provincial government resources for political confrontation with the federation. “Which country allows a chief minister to use official resources to attack the federal capital?” he asked, questioning the use of provincial resources for political purposes. He accused PTI of damaging the province during its 13 years in power, alleging that successive PTI governments had failed to provide effective governance and neglected the interests of ordinary citizens. Mr Sharif said the people of KP were patriotic Pakistanis who deserved better governance and leadership. Zulqernain Tahir also contributed to this report Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2026

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