PM Shehbaz chairs Apex Committee meeting on K-P security situation: state media

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired an Apex Committee meeting at Governor House on Thursday to review the overall security situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and measures being taken to combat terrorism, Radio Pakistan reported.

According to sources cited by the state broadcaster, the meeting was attended by the K-P governor, federal and provincial ministers, relevant officials and senior military leadership.

The meeting was convened to review the overall law and order situation in the province and ongoing counter-terrorism measures.

The visit marked the prime minister’s first trip to Peshawar since the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in K-P on October 11, which resulted in the suspension of the provincial government led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

The federal government imposed the measures under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, citing a deterioration in the security situation, an increase in terrorist attacks, and what it described as the provincial administration’s failure to cooperate effectively in counter-terrorism efforts.

Read: Emergency, governor's rule imposed in K-P after president signs summary on PM Shehbaz's advice

Under the new arrangement, executive powers were transferred to Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, assisted by an advisory council, while emergency measures were imposed in 12 districts. The PTI rejected the federal government’s position and opposed the move.

The decision followed weeks of tensions between the Centre and the PTI-led provincial administration, alongside negotiations aimed at securing agreement on a joint strategy against terrorism.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the federal government had made repeated attempts to obtain the provincial government’s cooperation before resorting to the constitutional measures. Prime Minister Shehbaz also said the government had been left with no alternative after negotiations failed to produce an agreement.

The first provincial Apex Committee meeting following the imposition of governor’s rule was held at Governor House on October 12, co-chaired by Governor Kundi and Interior Minister Naqvi. The meeting reviewed the security situation and counter-terrorism measures, with participants agreeing to strengthen the police and counter-terrorism department through additional equipment, vehicles, weapons, and manpower.

The forum also called for coordinated action by relevant institutions to restore peace and improve law and order.