Shafi Jan claims K-P CM arrested, urges people to head to Peshawar

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Information Minister Shafi Jan on Sunday claimed that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has been arrested and called on people across the province to gather in Peshawar.

The arrest came after President Asif Ali Zardari signed off on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's recommendation of imposing emergency rule in K-P amid a deteriorating security situation and the provincial government’s deliberate disengagement from the fight against terrorism.

According to a post on X by the president of Pakistan, Zardari signed off on PM Shehbaz's advice under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution of Pakistan.

In a post on X, Jan said people from across K-P should head towards Peshawar, urging residents of Kohat to make their way to the provincial capital as well.

Jan said, “The people will now have to come out." The people of the tribal districts had a major responsibility, urging them to turn out in support of the chief minister, he added.

“The tribal people must come out for their chief minister,” he said.

He added that he would join the people wherever they gathered. “Wherever the people assemble, you will find me among them,” he said.

PTI leaders condemn emergency in K-P, vow to continue political struggle

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders on Sunday condemned the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), describing the measures as unconstitutional and undemocratic, and vowing to continue their political struggle.

In posts on X, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and other party leaders rejected the measures, arguing that they undermined the province’s mandate, autonomy and democratic rights. They called for political dialogue and the protection of constitutional rights.

Barrister Gohar said the party “strongly condemns” the imposition of emergency in the province and “categorically rejects” the move, describing it as “an extremely concerning and serious political mistake” and an undemocratic step.

“The people will never accept such measures against their rights,” he said.

Gohar said the mandate of the people of K-P was their constitutional and legal right, adding that peace and stability could not be achieved by ignoring that mandate, weakening provincial autonomy or creating a confrontation between the federation and the province.

He said there was no disagreement over the need to eliminate terrorism, but the fight against militancy could not be used to suppress public voices, pursue political objectives or restrict the province’s constitutional powers.

“Countering terrorism is possible only through national unity and a joint strategy,” he said.

Gohar added that weakening the provinces would not strengthen the federation, arguing that the solution to the country’s problems lay in political wisdom, constitutional supremacy, meaningful negotiations and practical measures rather than force, confrontation and extraordinary steps.

He said the party would raise its voice on every constitutional, legal and democratic forum to protect the public mandate, provincial autonomy and constitutional and democratic rights.

Gohar also urged the federal government to reconsider its decision, saying it could still be reversed within a few days.

He called on the federation to set aside its ego, understand ground realities, accept legitimate demands and respect public sentiments, warning that failure to do so would cause further political and economic damage and set back the democratic process.

“Reconsidering political decisions is not a sign of weakness but an indication of wisdom in the national interest,” he said, adding that otherwise, “there will be significant damage”.

Former federal minister Asad Umar also criticised the measures, saying Prime Minister Shehbaz and President Zardari had not merely signed off on governor’s rule and emergency in K-P but had initiated a process that could dismantle the existing system.

“Everyone is going to be buried in this political grave,” Umar said in his post on X, referring to political parties.

PTI K-P president Junaid Akbar said the party’s planned long march would proceed regardless of whether governor’s rule or martial law was imposed.

“Whether they impose governor’s rule or martial law, our long march will take place in every circumstance, God willing,” he said, adding that the participants had reached Swabi.

“Neither pressure can stop us, nor threats weaken our resolve,” Akbar said.

PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan described the implementation of emergency in K-P as a “non-political move” by the federal government, saying it went against the mandate of millions of people in the province and the spirit of the federation.

“The emergency shall be removed as soon as possible, and K-P should be governed by the elected representatives of its people,” he said.

Ali added that all issues should be resolved through political dialogue rather than confrontation.

PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram expressed concern over the reported targeting of Junaid Akbar, the party’s K-P president, through coercive legal measures.

In a post on X, Akram said the actions reflected a pattern of political victimisation. He said arresting or harassing elected leadership, particularly amid the current situation involving emergency and governor’s rule, undermined democratic principles and provincial rights.

He condemned the approach and called for adherence to the rule of law and due process, adding that political issues should be resolved through dialogue rather than repression.

Former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser also rejected the reported measures, declaring: “Governor’s rule is unacceptable, emergency is unacceptable.”

Qaiser condemned the measures and said he had consistently raised his voice against terrorism. He also questioned the federal government’s policies, which he said had contributed to the current situation.

He called for the implementation of the unanimous resolution adopted by the peace jirga, saying all political parties had agreed to it.

Qaiser said ignoring people’s fundamental rights and powers in important national matters was unacceptable, urging all political parties to speak up for the protection of K-P’s rights.

“This is a robbery on the constitutional rights of the province, which is unacceptable,” he said, adding that the party would continue its constitutional and democratic struggle.