Achakzai warns Sindh could be next to face governor’s rule

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai on Wednesday warned that Sindh could be the next province to face governor’s rule, citing potential disputes over water, mineral resources and canals, as he condemned the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

Addressing the National Assembly, Achakzai warned that the government’s actions against provinces and their political representatives could deepen political confrontation, urging it to reverse its decisions and restore the elected government in K-P.

“Next governor's rule will be imposed in Sindh over the occupation of water, on the occupation of mines, of the rivers, and then you will remember what mistake we made,” he said.

The opposition leader also criticised members of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for supporting the government’s measures, saying he was saddened that his “Sindhi brothers” had become part of what he described as a calamity.

Calling for the reversal of emergency and governor’s rule in K-P, the opposition leader urged the government to make parliament the centre of political authority and resolve disputes through democratic means.

“There is still time, reverse it, reverse these decisions. Come, make this house a fountainhead of power. Repent,” he said.

Achakzai subsequently termed the federal government a “terrorist government”, alleging that it had been formed through money, coercion and the support of uniformed institutions. He said the assemblies had been bought to bring the government into power and challenged lawmakers to swear on the Quran that this had not happened.

He also criticised the government’s treatment of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, saying the party had been prevented from contesting the elections under its electoral symbol and its candidates had been forced to contest on 200 different symbols. “Are you punishing Pakistan's 240 million people for this?” he asked.

Achakzai argued that the PTI’s electoral difficulties did not justify the measures taken against the province, urging the government to reconsider its decisions.

Defending K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, whose government had been suspended following the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule, Achakzai said the provincial leader had urged people to stand against what he described as wrongdoing rather than resorting to violence.

“You talk about evil, the real evil is this government,” he said, adding that Afridi was right to call on people to stand against it. “He did not hurl abuses or throw stones,” Achakzai said, adding that Afridi had only urged people “to rise up against this evil.”

The opposition leader also criticised the authorities over Afridi’s detention, saying he had been arrested and his hands and feet bound, but had not been brought before the National Assembly. “You have done us a great favour, a very great favour! After arresting Afridi and binding his hands and feet, you didn't bring him here,” he said.

Drawing a parallel with the history of East Pakistan, Achakzai recalled that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had worked for the Muslim League before being branded a traitor.

He said more than 48% of the people of East Pakistan had voted in favour of Pakistan, invoking the episode to criticise the denial of political representation and the use of force against political opponents.

Achakzai also criticised what he called the “Throne of Lahore”, describing it as cruel and urging the government to reconsider its approach towards the provinces. He said the provinces would resist attempts to deprive them of their rights through force, adding that Balochistan and Punjab would also stand with them.

The remarks came during a National Assembly session in which lawmakers endorsed President Asif Ali Zardari’s proclamation of emergency in K-P, passing a resolution by a majority vote despite objections from opposition members.

The federal government had moved to impose emergency and governor’s rule in the province, citing worsening law and order and alleged shortcomings in coordination with federal authorities on counterterrorism operations. The PTI has opposed the move, describing it as an attack on the province’s electoral mandate.

The developments followed a period of escalating tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led provincial administration, with reports that Afridi and some members of his cabinet had been taken into preventive custody. The party has also sought legal remedies over the measures and raised concerns about Afridi’s whereabouts.